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Lucknow: In a shocking development, the Heads of Department for Tabla and Bharatanatyam at Lucknow's Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya have been arrested. Fearing similar action, the university's administrative officer, reportedly only fifth grade educated, has absconded along with his girlfriend. The CB-CID made significant arrests on Tuesday, taking into custody Professor Manoj Mishra (Tabla Department) and Professor Gyanendra Dutt Bajpai (Bharatanatyam Department).
Both are accused of being complicit in a massive `3.31 crore scam involving illegal appointments and construction during the tenure of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Shruti Sadolikar Katkar. Seven contractors from twelve associated firms have also been jailed in connection with the scandal. Both HODs have been sent to 14 day judicial custody.
The absconding administrative officer, Ramkumar, is being described as the "manager" of this extensive scam. CB-CID teams are actively raiding his and his relatives' residences, but he remains at large, with sources suggesting his girlfriend has also disappeared.
The scandal first came to light in 2020 when a complaint reached Governor Anandiben Patel, leading to orders for former Vice-Chancellor Shruti Sadolikar Katkar's removal and an FIR filed against her at Kaiserbagh police station. While the CB-CID did arrest Katkar, she was released due to a pre-existing stay order on her arrest.
The FIR alleges that former Vice-Chancellor Shruti and other university officials, including Ramkumar, awarded contracts worth several crores to various companies without following proper tender procedures, particularly in 2017-18. Investigations are ongoing, targeting firms like Anjali Traders, Usha Associates, Sai Kripa Trading Corporation, and others involved in the alleged corrupti
