Corruption allegations rock Sampurnanand Sanskrit University VC; vigilance probe sought

Varanasi | February 16:The Vice-Chancellor of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Bihari Lal Sharma, is facing serious allegations of corruption and administrative misconduct, triggering internal unrest and factional divisions within the institution.

A formal complaint has been submitted to the Principal Secretary (Vigilance), Government of Uttar Pradesh, accusing the Vice-Chancellor of financial irregularities and allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The complainant has sought a comprehensive vigilance inquiry into the matter.

According to the complaint, the Vice-Chancellor is also accused of making irregular appointments and extending undue favours to a Ph.D. scholar. It further alleges that he pressured a female scholar to level false accusations against faculty members who refused to support certain decisions and actions attributed to him.

The complaint also claims that a professor associated with an internal departmental inquiry was subjected to harassment and intimidation. In another disputed incident, a residential garage allocated to a senior professor was allegedly reassigned to a junior faculty member under questionable circumstances.

The controversy has deepened following allegations that the Vice-Chancellor misused his authority to issue a backdated attendance certificate to a scholar after a professor refused to provide what was described as a “fake attendance record”. The incident has raised concerns about administrative transparency and academic integrity.

Sources within the university said the campus is currently divided into multiple factions, intensifying internal conflicts and affecting the academic environment. Faculty members who reportedly refused to comply with certain directives have allegedly faced harassment and administrative pressure.

The complaint has urged the vigilance department of the Uttar Pradesh government to initiate an immediate probe. Officials said that if a formal investigation is ordered, it could bring several administrative decisions and officials under scrutiny.

University authorities have not issued an official response to the allegations so far. The development has created uncertainty within the academic community in Varanasi, with faculty and staff awaiting further action from vigilance authorities.

The allegations remain under review, and any findings will depend on the outcome of an official investigation.