Marks ‘sale’ stick for teacher

Faculty member accused of promising high marks to a final-year undergraduate student for Rs 10,000. The decision follows a report filed by an inquiry committee formed by the college to probe into the allegations

Binita Paul   |   TT   |   Siliguri   |   10.10.20 : The governing body of Siliguri College on Friday suspended Amitabha Kanjilal, a faculty member accused of promising high marks to a final-year undergraduate student for Rs 10,000.

The assistant professor in the political science department has been suspended from work until the final conclusion of departmental proceedings against him.

The decision follows a report filed by an inquiry committee formed by the college to probe into the allegations.

“At the meeting, it was decided that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against Amitabha Kanjilal. An inquiry officer and a presenting officer would be deputed for further proceedings…Kanjilal has been suspended on and from October 10 until the final conclusion,” said principal Sujit Ghosh.

During his suspension period, Kanjilal would receive half his salary, sources said.

Ghosh said the suspended teacher would be allowed into the college for daily attendance signature.

For further proceedings, the inquiry officer will be a legal person while the presenting officer will be an associate professor from the college itself, said sources.

Earlier, the governing body of the college had formed a seven-member inquiry committee to probe into the money-for-marks allegation against the teacher.

The committee submitted a report within 20 days of the internal investigation.

The inquiry committee had found certain anomalies in Kanjilal’s statements, which merited the departmental proceedings, sources said.

“Also, in the course of investigation, the committee members have spoken with the complainant (the student who filed the complaint against Kanjilal) and found valid points against the accused faculty member. That is why the fresh departmental proceedings have been ensued against him. The new committee will start the investigation from next week,” sources added.

(Courtesy & source- The Telegraph: https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/siliguri-college-marks-sale-stick-for-teacher/cid/1794342)