388 Days Missing, Crores Misused? NSUI Levels Shocking Charges Against TU Vice-Chancellor

The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Assam, has filed a formal complaint at the Chandmari Police Station demanding the immediate registration of an FIR against Tezpur University Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Shambhu Nath Singh.

The student organisation has levelled serious allegations of large-scale corruption, misappropriation of public funds, criminal misconduct, cheating, and money laundering during his tenure from 2023 to 2025.

The complaint, submitted by NSUI office-bearers Niru Nath, State Executive Member and State Secretary, and Bhaskar Jyoti Rana, outlines what it describes as systematic and widespread financial irregularities running into several crores of rupees. The student body has invoked various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, claiming that the offences are cognizable and non-bailable and require immediate police action.

According to the complaint, approximately ₹6.5 crore was spent from the Vice-Chancellor’s office in an irregular manner, allegedly involving unaccounted expenditure, fake bills and unexplained cash withdrawals. Another ₹6.5 crore was reportedly spent on purchasing library books at highly inflated rates despite the allegedly poor quality of the materials supplied. The NSUI has further alleged that hostel furniture amounting to ₹15 crore was procured at excessive rates, with the supplied items being of sub-standard quality.

The organisation also pointed to construction projects funded under HEFA, worth several crores, which reportedly developed cracks, seepage and structural defects within months of completion, raising suspicions of poor-quality work and possible corruption. The complaint mentions the appointment of a private security agency for nearly ₹70 lakh allegedly without following proper tendering procedures, as well as an irregular procurement of semiconductor equipment valued at ₹1.5 crore.

NSUI further claimed that the Vice-Chancellor undertook unjustified foreign travel and incurred contingent expenses amounting to ₹49 lakh, which they argue did not benefit the university. The complaint accuses the administration of misusing or deliberately failing to utilise various student fees collected annually — including training and placement fees, library fees, student activity fees, laboratory fees and infrastructure charges — thereby cheating thousands of students who had paid for services that were allegedly never provided. The complainants have also alleged that the interest generated from students’ caution money deposits, amounting to nearly ₹16 lakh per year, was neither accounted for nor utilised as required.

Another significant charge made by the NSUI concerns the Vice-Chancellor’s prolonged absence from campus. According to the complaint, Prof. Singh has been absent for over 388 days in less than three years of his tenure, which the students claim led to administrative breakdown and amounted to dereliction of duty under the Tezpur University Act, 1993.

The complaint also highlights the Vice-Chancellor’s previous tenure at Patna University from 2011 to 2013. It references a special audit conducted in 2012 by the Principal Accountant-General of Bihar, which reportedly found major financial irregularities. It further cites a 2013 order of the Vigilance Court in Patna directing the registration of an FIR against him for offences including corruption, cheating, forgery and caste-based favouritism in appointments. Instances such as the illegal renovation of the registrar’s quarters at a cost of ₹5.5 lakh, submission of fake bills and irregular staff appointments were also mentioned. NSUI alleges that these past cases demonstrate a “habitual nature” of financial misconduct, describing the alleged offences at Tezpur University as a continuation of earlier behaviour.

In their prayer before the police, the complainants have urged immediate registration of an FIR and the arrest of the Vice-Chancellor, expressing concern that he may tamper with evidence or abscond. They have requested that all financial records, computers, mobile phones, documents and files from the Vice-Chancellor’s office and residence be seized, and that the Enforcement Directorate’s Guwahati Zonal Office be involved for parallel investigation under PMLA. The complainants have also sought protection for themselves and for student witnesses, claiming fear of retaliation.

NSUI leaders have stated that they are prepared to present all original documents, witnesses and supporting evidence before the Investigating Officer. The complaint concludes with a declaration that all facts provided are true to the best of their knowledge and belief.

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