Students Allege Financial Mismanagement, Intensify Protest Against Vice Chancellor

Students at West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences have intensified their protest against Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti, surrounding his office in response to allegations of "financial mismanagement" and "administrative incompetence".

West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti

The student demonstration has escalated following a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding sexual harassment allegations made against V-C Chakrabarti by a faculty member.

Although the Supreme Court dismissed the complaint as time-barred, it mandated that the judgment "shall be made part of the VC's resume." The harassment allegations covered incidents reportedly occurring between 2019 and April 2023.

Since this morning, students have maintained an indefinite protest, effectively blocking access to the Vice Chancellor's office.

In a statement released by the protesters, they explained: "Our demonstration represents more than just a response to one incident. It embodies our collective voice after months and years of silence, frustration, and disillusionment. This action stems from necessity following serious sexual harassment allegations against the VC—which the Supreme Court has ordered must appear in his resume—combined with concerning financial opacity and consistent administrative shortcomings, continued indifference, and a widening gap between leadership and the university community."

The protesters emphasized their solidarity in "demanding accountability, justice, and renewed confidence in our institution's leadership."

Their statement concluded by asserting, "We maintain that the principles of integrity, equality, and fairness taught by our university must first be demonstrated within its own operations."