Visva-Bharati probe trio opts out of investigation

Updated on: Saturday, December 12, 2009

New Delhi: Calm had been restored to Visva-Bharati on the promise that an inquiry would be conducted against vice-chancellor Rajat Kanta Ray. But now all three members of the inquiry committee have decided to opt out of the panel.

Amlan Dutta and Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, both former V-Cs of Visva Bharati, have told University Grants Commission (UGC) that they would not like to be part of the inquiry committee. Sources said the third member, S N Menon, former commerce secretary and a retired West Bengal cadre IAS officer, has excused himself on health grounds, say sources in UGC.

The probe committee was set up after clearance from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is chancellor of Visva Bharati. Sources said a new panel has to be set up now, and since the PMO has been taking a deep interest in the matter, guidance should come from there.

Bhattacharya, who is also chairperson of Indian Council for Historical Research,said: “I felt my first priority was ICHR. After seeing the wide range of charges that have been made and terms of reference that I received from UGC, I realised it would not be possible for me to take on the responsibility.” An acclaimed historian, Bhattacharya, was V-C of Visva Bharati from 1991-95. Amlan Dutta, who was V-C of the renowned university in the 1980s, has also declined on similar grounds. Though he could not be reached, sources in UGC confirmed he had opted out of the panel.

Visva-Bharati probe trio opts out of investigation

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