Ex VC of Gujarat University Neerja Gupta Resigns as PMJVK PI after corruption allegations

AHMEDABAD : Gujarat University PMJVK Row: Neerja Gupta Resigns as PIThe controversy over alleged financial irregularities at Gujarat University has intensified, with former Vice-Chancellor Neerja Gupta resigning as the Principal Investigator (PI) of the PMJVK project. The development comes after more than ₹16 crore from a ₹40-crore sanctioned grant was reportedly credited to an account linked to the project PI.

According to Gujarat University in-charge Vice-Chancellor Jagdish Joshi, Gupta submitted her resignation as PMJVK PI by email on August 11. A demand draft of ₹14,59,19,772 was subsequently issued and deposited into the university’s designated account on September 10.

“The university had received more than ₹16 crore as the first instalment of the ₹40-crore PMJVK grant. After the resignation, ₹14,59,19,772 was remitted to the university,” Joshi said.

The university has now sought details of the remaining amount and expenditure. Officials have been directed to prepare and submit audited financial statements, as the accounts had reportedly not been submitted even after the end of the financial year.

“Instructions have been given to the officials and chartered accountants to immediately prepare and submit the audited statements,” Joshi said.

The controversy has also raised questions over Gupta’s continuation as PI of other university projects after her tenure as Vice-Chancellor ended. According to the allegations, she continues as PI of the IDSR Brain Mapping Lab and the ‘Bahuratna Vasundhara’ project, with Registrar Piyush Patel serving as Co-PI.

The developments come amid a wider university inquiry into alleged financial irregularities, recruitment practices and misuse of authority during Gupta’s tenure. Gujarat University has constituted a one-member committee headed by retired Gujarat High Court judge D.M. Vyas to examine the allegations, with a report expected within three months.

Earlier, student organisation NSUI had also demanded an investigation into alleged misuse of PMJVK funds, including claims concerning transactions linked to the grant. Those allegations remain subject to inquiry and have not been established as wrongdoing.

Gupta has disputed the allegations and questioned the impartiality of an earlier inquiry panel, according to reports.