Ex-Gujarat University VC denies Rs 40 crore misuse, calls allegations misleading

Neerja Gupta, the ex-VC, issued a video statement on YouTube after the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and Congress leaders protested on Tuesday, accusing her of corruption involving funds sanctioned to the university.Gujarat University's ex-VC Neerja GuptaFormer Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Neerja Gupta has rejected allegations of financial irregularities involving Rs 40 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), calling the claims part of a “misleading and malicious narrative” aimed at tarnishing her image.Gupta issued a video statement on YouTube after the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and Congress leaders protested on Tuesday, accusing her of corruption involving funds sanctioned to Gujarat University under the PMJVK scheme. The allegations centred on claims that Rs 40 crore had been received and that transactions involving the amount could not be accounted for. Responding to the allegations, Gupta said Rs 40 crore was the sanctioned project amount, but the university never received the entire sum. According to her, only Rs 16.50 crore was released as the first instalment, and no further grant was received.She also clarified that the money was credited to the Gujarat University account for the PIPMGVK Jain Manuscript initiative, and not to her personal account. Of the Rs 16.50 crore received, Gupta said Rs 1,90,80,228 was spent. She added that the remaining Rs 14,59,19,772, including the interest earned on the funds, was returned to the university through a bank draft submitted along with her resignation.“There was never any transaction of Rs 40 crore,” Gupta said, rejecting the suggestion that the amount was misused. She also said the project had been approved through a committee-led process involving a principal investigator, adviser, consultant and project management consultant, with the required approvals being obtained as part of the prescribed procedure.GUPTA QUESTIONS ENQUIRY PANEL Gupta also raised questions over the committee constituted by the university's in-charge Vice-Chancellor to examine the allegations against her.She claimed that two members of the committee had expressed dissatisfaction with her over the past 11 months, both orally and in writing. Gupta said she had invited them for dialogue on several occasions, but they refused to join the discussion.“Can we call such a committee impartial?” she asked, while appealing to the in-charge Vice-Chancellor to seek guidance from the Higher Education Department before taking further action.Gupta said she was willing to answer any questions and face scrutiny, but urged the university and student organisations not to be influenced by what she described as factually incorrect claims.DEFENCE OF CONSULTANCY, RESEARCH WORKGupta also addressed questions about whether a Vice-Chancellor can undertake consultancy or paid research while holding office.She said academic leaders have a responsibility to contribute their expertise to the country and that consultancy and research assignments are based on their qualifications and are not linked to their salary or position as Vice-Chancellor.Gupta cited her own work with the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), saying she had undertaken an ICHR project while serving as Vice-Chancellor of Sanchi University. After she joined Gujarat University, she said, the project was transferred there, and the university received the corresponding grant.She urged those making allegations to seek documentary evidence rather than relying on the figure of Rs 40 crore.Gupta further said the expenditure related to the PMJVK project had been documented through bills and that the accounts were with the chartered accountant's office. She said the utilisation certificate was being prepared for submission to the PMJVK authorities.- EndsPublished By: Akash ChatterjeePublished On: Aug 27, 2026 16:16 IST