2 former GU VCs, ex-syndicate member come under scanner

Ahmedabad: Two former vice-chancellors and a former syndicate member of Gujarat University are under the scanner for allegedly siphoning off Rs 4.09 crore from the animation department of the varsity, crime branch officials said on Tuesday. Earlier, an associate professor of GU was arrested in the case. "Two former VCs, a former syndicate member and a political figure are also involved and were beneficiaries of the financial fraud. They will be questioned," said a crime branch officer.
On Jan 17, Ajay Das, 41, who works as a cartographer at the Centre for Professional Courses (animation), filed an FIR against the accused associate professor, Kamaljeet Lakhtaria. On Dec 29, 2015, Lakhtaria was given charge as coordinator at GU's animation department, where he was working as an associate professor with the computer centre.
Lakhtaria was given administrative responsibilities such as collecting student fees, managing the programme's operations and expenses, appointing knowledge partners and overseeing financial transactions and academic matters.
To manage the finances for the courses, Lakhtaria, with the approval of the university registrar and VC, opened seven accounts at the Kalol branch of the Kotak Mahindra bank.
According to the MoUs, 30% of the revenue generated from student fees was to be given to GU, while 70% was retained by the animation department. Ensuring timely payment of the university's share was Lakhtaria's responsibility. In 2023, financial irregularities were discovered in the department by Kanaiyalal Thakar, the chief accounts officer. Chartered accountant Ronak Shah was appointed to investigate, and Lakhtaria was relieved of his duties on Aug 8, 2023.
An inquiry led by retired district judge Avinash Gupta found that Lakhtaria misappropriated Rs 1.15 crore into his personal accounts between 2022 and 2023, transferred Rs 1.64 crore to various traders without supporting documents, and overpaid the knowledge partners in violation of the agreed terms from 2017 to 2022. He admitted to transferring Rs 1.15 crore into personal accounts "by mistake" but failed to provide evidence.