Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa University has been rocked by allegations that an assistant professor stole a question paper to help a female student secure high marks in the examination. The university administration has initiated an inquiry into the incident, confirmed Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Harilal Menon.
A group of activists including Kashinath Shetye, Inacio Pereira, Ramchandra Manjrekar, John Nazareth, Premindra Vernekar, Krishna Pandit, and Mariano Ferrao lodged a formal complaint at the Agassaim Police Station.
According to the complaint, an assistant professor from the Physics Department allegedly accessed the question papers using a duplicate key a few days before the examination. After logging into the computer in another professor’s cabin, the accused professor reportedly provided the stolen question paper to a particular student, enabling her to secure high marks in the examination, the complaint claimed.
The complaint names the accused professor, high-ranking university officials, and a political leader as being complicit in the incident. The complainants have demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against those involved.
The Agassaim Police said, “We tried to contact the Goa University vice-chancellor but his mobile was switched off. Being a Sunday, the university is closed and we will visit the vice-chancellor tomorrow to conduct any inquiry.”
Speaking to mediapersons, Kashinath Shetye alleged, “The matter was brought to the notice of Goa University but no action was taken. The incident was hushed up by the Registrar and Vice Chancellor of the University. We have now filed a complaint demanding that the earlier question paper be cancelled and a fresh examination be conducted.”
Despite the gravity of the matter, the university administration allegedly issued only a warning to the accused professor and did not cancel the examination or issue fresh question papers.
Vice Chancellor Prof Menon assured that the university will launch a full-scale inquiry starting Monday and clarified that the administration will not tolerate any action that compromises the integrity of the institution.
Condemning the incident, NSUI Goa demanded that services of the accused be terminated and strict legal action be taken against him.
In a statement NSUI said, “NSUI Goa strongly condemns the shocking incident of question paper leakage at Goa University. A professor caught red-handed breaking academic integrity cannot be let off with just a ‘Tambi’. This is a betrayal of students’ trust! We demand his immediate termination and strict legal action against all involved. Goa University must stop covering up corruption and ensure fair education for all. NSUI Goa will not stay silent until justice is served!”