PANAJI: Goa University has suspended Assistant Professor Dr. Pranav Naik, attached to the School of Physical & Applied Sciences, pending an inquiry into allegations of leaking an exam question paper to a student. The suspension order will remain in effect until further notice, as the fact-finding committee continues its investigation.
Following allegations that a Physics professor leaked an exam question paper to help a 'special' student, Goa University initiated an inquiry through a fact-finding committee to investigate the matter.
The senior professor from Varsity was accused of allegedly stealing a question paper to help a student score high marks.
While the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) Goa unit filed a complaint at Agacaim Police Station demanding the professor’s termination and legal action, ABVP Goa staged a protest at the university, seeking the professor’s suspension and the student’s debarment.
Vice-Chancellor Harilal Menon initially refuted claims of receiving a formal complaint regarding paper theft but confirmed the formation of a fact-finding committee.
"There is no complaint of paper theft received. I have set up a fact-finding committee, which will give its report within 48 hours. If any mischief is reported in the findings, necessary action will be initiated," he assured.
Menon stated that the professor could not be dismissed or terminated unless there was evidence against him. He claimed the professor visited the office not to steal the paper but to remove a chemical for analysis for a student during the ongoing internal assessment.
"He said sorry for entering the room in the absence of concerned faculty," Menon said.
NSUI has accused the professor of forging keys to access examination papers, allegedly stealing them undetected the first time. Suspicions arose after a student with a weak academic record suddenly topped the exam. "A student who rarely attended classes and was academically weak suddenly topped the exam. This raised concerns," an NSUI representative said. The professor was later caught red-handed attempting the theft again, NSUI alleged.
Despite the issue being reported to the Vice-Chancellor, NSUI claims the professor was only issued a warning. "A professor caught in such an academic offense cannot be let off so easily," the student body asserted.
During their protest, ABVP members confronted the Vice-Chancellor, demanding immediate action. "We demand a written assurance that the inquiry will be completed in two days. If found guilty, the professor must be suspended," an ABVP representative stated. They also called for a review of the student’s mark sheet and her debarment.
Despite the issue being reported to the Vice-Chancellor, NSUI claims the professor was only issued a warning. "A professor caught in such an academic offense cannot be let off so easily," the student body asserted.
During their protest, ABVP members confronted the Vice-Chancellor, demanding immediate action. "We demand a written assurance that the inquiry will be completed in two days. If found guilty, the professor must be suspended," an ABVP representative stated. They also called for a review of the student’s mark sheet and her debarment.
