In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against Professor Vinay Pathak, the Vice-Chancellor of Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur, on charges of extortion and cheating. This action underscores that irrespective of one’s position, engaging in illegal activities can lead to serious legal consequences.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
Professor Pathak is accused of demanding ₹1.4 crore from David Mario Danish, the owner of a company responsible for conducting examinations across various state universities, in exchange for clearing the company’s pending bills. The Uttar Pradesh government recommended a CBI probe into these allegations on December 29, 2022. Subsequently, the CBI filed an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act and multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including extortion, wrongful confinement, breach of trust, cheating, and forgery, against Professor Pathak and his associate, Ajay Mishra.
Modus Operandi and Arrests
Investigations revealed that Ajay Mishra secured contracts for printing examination question papers from various state universities, allegedly with Professor Pathak’s assistance, and then subcontracted them to Santosh Singh. Another associate, Ajay Jain from Gurgaon, managed the illicit funds by producing fake and tampered bills, leading to accusations of fraud and document tampering. The Special Task Force (STF) arrested Mishra, Singh, and Jain, uncovering irregularities in universities located in Agra, Kanpur, and Bareilly.
Judicial Intervention
In response to the FIR, Professor Pathak approached the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on November 1, 2022, seeking relief. However, the court declined to quash the FIR, allowing the investigation to proceed.
Implications
This case serves as a stark reminder that engaging in corrupt practices, regardless of one’s stature or position, can lead to severe legal repercussions. It emphasizes the importance of integrity and transparency in all professional dealings, as authorities are vigilant and committed to upholding the law.
No matter how high you rise, if your foundation is built on fraud, the fall is inevitable.
