GNDU VC ‘favoured’ son during his tenure, MPs demand probe

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 26

A day after the Bihar Police arrested Anandpreet Brar, son of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Vice-Chancellor Ajaib Singh Brar, MPs from Amritsar — Gurjit Singh Aujla (Congress) and Shwait Malik (BJP) — today sought a probe to find out whether or not Anandpreet had taken benefits from the university during his father’s eight-year tenure.

Brar has resigned from the post, citing that “his son is not keeping good health”. He will relinquish the charge on March 31.

Anandpreet was arrested from New Delhi in connection with a paper leak of the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC). A Patna court remanded him to judicial custody.

Amritsar MP Aujla urged the authorities to issue a Red Corner Notice against the outgoing VC so that he could not escape from the country. “Brar was instrumental in handing over a prime property of the GNDU’s regional campus in Jalandhar’s Basi Nau village to landowners,” he alleged.

As per a report, Aujla alleged, Brar got answersheets and question papers reprinted at higher rates from a firm that allegedly was in partnership with his son’s firm.

He said Brar was also responsible for shifting of Central University to Bathinda and procuring land from ruling party leaders at inflated rates. “Cheaper land was available in Amritsar. He was head of the land acquisition committee at that time.”

“The Congress demands an investigation into his role as Anandpreet used his father’s influence in establishing his business. Local leaders and I will meet Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, demanding registration of a case against Brar,” Aujla said.

Rajya Sabha member Malik urged Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar to investigate the allegations of misuse of power against the VC and whether or not Anandpreet took benefits from the GNDU during his father’s tenure as the VC. “This is a serious matter and the truth should come out,” he said.

The GNDU Teachers’ Association, meanwhile, urged the government to investigate alleged scams during Brar’s tenure.

The VC could not be contacted in spite of repeated attempts.