Students at Dwijendralal College in Krishnanagar, Nadia, protested on Wednesday seeking the release of an inquiry report into allegations of financial irregularities against former principal Banibrata Goswami, including claims linked to scholarships and construction work on the campus.
The protest followed an earlier investigation into complaints against Goswami. Students said making the report public was necessary to restore administrative transparency and establish whether action should be taken against the former principal. They warned that a larger agitation could follow if the report continued to remain inaccessible.
According to the report by Anandabazar, 33 of the college’s 35 teachers had submitted a written complaint against Goswami to the governing body. He was subsequently sent on leave. The governing body formed an inquiry commission in March to examine the allegations. The commission included a university representative, a legal officer and experts, and submitted its report in September, according to a member quoted in the report.
The inquiry report has not been made available to the complainant teachers or students. Alok Kumar Ghosh, a member of the commission, said the committee had initially planned to submit its report in August but did so in September after delays. He said the report was with Tarak Chattopadhyay, president of the governing body and BJP legislator from Krishnanagar North.
Chattopadhyay told Anandabazar that although he had received the report, he had not yet opened it. He said the report would be submitted to the Higher Education Department, which would examine the matter and communicate its recommendations to the university. Further action would then be taken on that basis, he said.
Students have alleged that Goswami introduced a rule requiring students with low attendance to donate Rs 2,000 to the college to receive government scholarships. They have also alleged that students from other colleges appearing for examinations at Dwijendralal College were asked to pay money for arrangements to sit for examinations in separate rooms. The allegations have not been independently established in the supplied report.
Acting teacher-in-charge Archana Nandi, who is among the teachers who complained against Goswami, alleged that around Rs 3 crore worth of construction was undertaken during his 29-month tenure without following required tender procedures. She also alleged that Goswami had created a bedroom inside the college and that complaints about it had not led to action. These claims remain allegations attributed to Nandi.
The college campus and its surroundings saw tension during Wednesday morning’s protest, but police presence prevented major disruption, according to the report. Goswami, who has been on leave, declined to comment on the allegations and told the publication that he could not speak on the matter.
The immediate issue is whether the governing body and Higher Education Department will formally examine and disclose the inquiry findings, and what action will follow if the allegations are substantiated.
