PATNA: Months after being accused in a corruption case, Magadh University (MU) vice- chancellor (VC) Rajendra Prasad tendered his resignation, which was accepted by governor- cum – chancellor of state universities Phagu Chauhan on Saturday.
Prasad proceeded on medical leave ever since the special vigilance unit (SVU) conducted a raid on his office as well as residence on November 17 last year and recovered cash amounting to more than Rs 30 crore from his possession. The SVU has registered a case against Prasad on the accusations of cheating, corruption and criminal breach of trust.
A statement issued by the governor's office on Saturday evening stated that governor Phagu Chauhan has accepted the resignation of vice- chancellor of Magadh University Bodhgaya, Prof Rajendra Prasad with immediate effect.
There is no regular VC at MU at present as vice-chancellor of Patliputra University Prof R K Singh has been given additional charge to perform the duties of MU VC.
Incidentally, Prasad ’s resignation has come after Patna high court refused to provide any relief to him in the FIR lodged by the SVU. Apart from dismissing the writ petition of Prasad for quashing the SUV’s FIR, the single bench of justice Ashutosh Kumar rejected his anticipatory bail plea as well.
According to sources, the SVU has also moved a special vigilance court at Patna to seek a non- bailable warrant against Prasad. According to sources, involvement of several shell companies has also come to light, which were allegedly used for siphoning off funds.
The SVU has already taken action against several other former officials of MU. Former registrar Pushpendra Prasad Verma, proctor Jainandan Prasad Singh, library in-charge Vinod Kumar and Prasad’s personal assistant Subodh Kumar were arrested by December 20 last for their alleged involvement in the scam.
Prasad and other persons booked in the FIR are accused of hatching criminal conspiracy by playing fraud and embezzling more than Rs 30 crore of government funds in the last three years in the works related to getting answer booklets, books and other items printed without any demand or need at the varsity. The SVU has also found in its investigation that printing works were allotted to favourable persons instead of issuing tenders.
