Guwahati: The Assam government has initiated an inquiry into allegations of corruption and administrative misconduct against Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU) Vice-Chancellor Rajendra Prasad Das, following a formal complaint by the Assam Public Works (APW), according to a report by Assam Tribune.
Officials said the probe will also examine the roles of former Registrar Arupjyoti Choudhury—now Vice-Chancellor of Madhavdev University—and Deputy Registrar Ratul Patowary.
The Higher Education Department, through an October notification signed by Secretary Narayan Konwar, appointed Additional Secretary Ashrumani Malakar as the enquiry officer to lead the investigation.
The APW complaint, reportedly backed by documentary evidence, accuses Das of carrying out several construction and repair works using government and student funds without calling for tenders. It also alleges financial irregularities, misuse of power, and protection of university employees accused of sexual offences.
According to APW, Das extended the tenure of then Registrar Choudhury in violation of university norms, allegedly in exchange for his cooperation in certain administrative matters. The organisation further claimed that a professor who raised concerns about irregularities was dismissed and later reinstated after the Gauhati High Court intervened.
Serious allegations have also been levelled against Deputy Registrar Ratul Patowary, who was found guilty of sexual harassment by the university’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
Despite the ICC’s findings, the Vice-Chancellor allegedly took no disciplinary action. In-charge Registrar Pranjit Borah is said to have filed an affidavit before the High Court confirming the inaction, leading one of the complainants to seek judicial remedy.
APW president Abhijit Sharma and general secretary Dhruvjyoti Talukdar stated that they submitted detailed complaints along with supporting documents to both the Governor of Assam and the Chief Minister, who is also the Chancellor of KKHSOU, in August.
Established in 2006, KKHSOU is Assam’s only open university and operates under the state’s Higher Education Department.
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