By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Though the State CID is on the hunt for CMJ University Chancellor Chandra Mohan Jha who is reportedly absconding, legal adviser of Chandra Mohan Jha Foundation and a trustee of the CMJ University, SP Sharma, on Thursday clarified that Jha was in Bihar and not absconding.
Addressing a press conference here in the city on Thursday, Sharma denied that Chandra Mohan Jha was absconding and clarified that was in Bihar and attending to his ailing father who is admitted in the ICU of a hospital there.
Sharma also expressed resentment over the arrests of the University officials and the sealing of CMJ university offices by law enforcing agencies.
Sharma also informed that the CMJ Foundation has shot off a petition to Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma asking him to step in and put a stop to the ‘witch-hunt’ against its officials by the State CID.
The open letter to the Chief Minister expressed disappointment over the arrest of the University’s key officials and the CID and police department’s act of treating a revered place of higher learning (University campus) as a crime scene.
The letter also requested the Chief Minister to intervene so that normalcy is restored in the CMJ University in the best interest of the students.
The letter also termed the action of the Governor as “unfriendliness to the students.”
Reacting to a query, Sharma stated that CMJ Foundation has done several good works in Meghalaya which are not being highlighted.
While terming the action of the Governor as pre-meditated and prejudiced, he said that the Visitor was appointed to serve the interest of the University and not act against it. Sharma referred to Section 13 of the University Act, which states that the Visitor (Governor) acts as a mentor, guide and friend of a university who through his well timed advice, opinion and recommendation helps the functioning of the university.
Meanwhile, explaining the reason for not submitting the compliance report, Sharma said that the CID team was too quick to seal the office of the University a day after the Governor issued the directives and therefore the University was not in a position to access the records.
He also asserted that all UGC norms were followed for admission to the Ph.D programmes and due process is being followed through which the Ph.D degrees will be awarded.
“The University has provided the whole report on its programmes and admissions to the UGC and has taken the State Government in full confidence on this issue,” the lawyer added.
According to Sharma, over 300 guides are empanelled with the CMJ University to help students for their Ph.D programmes and so far there has been no objection from the UGC.