Two Pharmacy Professors arrested for accepting bribes for grades during inspection
Dehra: Two pharmacy professors from Punjab have been arrested by Himachal Pradesh Police’s vigilance department on charges of allegedly taking bribes in exchange for grades during an inspection at a Kangra-based pharmaceutical institute.
The professors, affiliated with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) and Central University (CU), Bathinda, respectively, were arrested after an inspection they conducted recently at a Palampur institution for allegedly receiving undue favours.
The accused doctors who holds a position at BFUHS, and a professor at Central University, were intercepted by the Himachal Pradesh vigilance team near Dehra while returning from their inspection at Sai School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, a part of Shri Sai University in Palampur. The duo was found with ₹3.5 lakh in their possession at a checkpoint in Rakkad, Dehra. The professors were deputed by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to evaluate the university's application for a new pharmacy course, reports Hindustan Times.
According to vigilance officials, the arrests were made based on a tip-off, and the professors were unable to account for the large sum of money in their possession. As a result, a case has been registered against both individuals under Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1998, as amended in 2018, at the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau in Dharamshala, reports the Daily. SP, vigilance, and anti-corruption bureau, Balbir Singh stated that they are still investigating the case.
In response to the arrest, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences has already suspended the accused professor. BFUHS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajeev Sood confirmed the suspension and clarified that the accused who heads the pharmaceutical chemistry department at the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (UIPSR), had been on an extended vacation, and the administration was unaware of his involvement in the inspection. The university has not yet received any official communication from the police regarding his arrest.
“As per the standard practice, if a faculty member of the BFUHS has to visit any academic campus for any official assignment, he has to take prior permission for the same. Following media reports on Chawla getting arrested by the vigilance department of the HP police, the university took suo motu notice of the development and initiated a probe. UIPSR principal submitted a report that states that the institute had no official communication from any quarters as to who deployed Chawla for the said inspection and how he visited the said institute when he was on vacation,” the V-C said. He also mentioned that though there have been reports of a driver being arrested who claimed to be employed with BFUHS, their official record he was not sent on duty there.
Similarly, the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, has announced that it will take appropriate action against the accused Professor. CUP Vice-Chancellor Prof. RP Tiwari stated that the university had granted him leave for the inspection in Himachal Pradesh and that the administration would follow the necessary procedures in response to his arrest.
“We cannot comment on what happened on the official trip as it is a legal matter. But we are keeping a close watch on the development,” Tiwari said. “Leave has not been extended as he is in the police custody. In his email, Bansal has claimed innocence,” the V-C said. The incident has raised serious concerns within the academic community, and both universities have pledged to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
