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Jaunpur/Uttar Pradesh: Candidates are given marks based on the quality of their answers. However, at Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, a state university in Uttar Pradesh in Jaunpur city, examiners awarded marks to several students who allegedly wrote ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and the names of several Indian cricketers in their answer sheets.
According to the sources, Two professors at state-run Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal varsity in Jaunpur were suspended for allegedly extorting money from students in exchange of marks on answer sheets written with songs, music and religious slogans.
The event highlighted when Divyanshu Singh, a former student of Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, filed an RTI on August 3 last year, seeking a re-evaluation of the answer sheets of 18 first-year pharmacy course students by providing their roll numbers.
Divyanshu Singh alleged that Professors Vinay Verma and Ashish Gupta accepted bribes to pass the students. He filed a formal complaint supported by an affidavit, submitting evidence to the state Governor.
The evidence highlighted discrepancies in the examination process, and it was discovered that students who had written slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and names of cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, among others on their answer sheets, were inexplicably awarded passing grades or over 50 per cent marks.
Upon receiving the student’s complaint letter and affidavit, Raj Bhavan took prompt action, ordering an investigation on December 21, 2023. In response, the university administration convened an enquiry committee. External evaluation of the answer sheets was conducted by a scrutiny committee, revealing discrepancies where students were awarded 0 and 4 marks, respectively.
Vice-Chancellor Vandana Singh, in an interview with sources, confirmed that the recommendation to dismiss two professors involved in the erroneous evaluation process had been made. Notably, irregularities were identified during the assessment of special bank copies, resulting in significant variations in marks upon re-evaluation. Correspondence regarding these findings is set to be forwarded to Raj Bhavan for further action.
In light of the allegations, disciplinary action against the implicated professors is inevitable. The university administration is preparing to recommend action against Professor Vinay Verma and Professor Ashish Gupta. Professor Verma, who has faced charges before, was also linked to the incident of removing a mobile phone with cash during an examination, which resulted in his being removed from administrative duties. The university is now awaiting direction from the Governor to proceed with the final stages of his dismissal.
