South Asian University now suspends finance director on disciplinary grounds

NEW DELHI: After suspending four faculty members, South Asian University (SAU) has now expelled its finance director. The university has also appointed a new acting director and asked suspended director Keshav Dutt to hand over the official documents.

“Whereas disciplinary proceeding is contemplated against Mr Keshav Dutt, Director Finance. Now, therefore, the competent authority, in the exercise of his powers, places Mr Keshav Dutt under suspension with immediate effect,” the university said in an official statement.

Following the suspension order, the competent authority of SAU has decided that Dutt will not leave the station without its prior approval. “Mr Keshav Dutt will hand over all the official documents, keys, etc. to the newly appointed acting director finance immediately,” it added. SAU further said that the director will be paid subsistence allowance as per rule.

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Earlier in June, the university suspended four faculty members over allegations of misconduct. The professors were among the 15 who had signed a letter against SAU’s decision to call the police for stopping a protest held by students and suspension of five students.

The students, in September 2022, held a protest demanding an increase in monthly stipends and representation in monthly stipends. The protests turned into a hunger strike upon which the police were called in. Initially 13 professors wrote to the university condemning the move.

After SAU suspended students and one of the expelled students suffered cardiac arrest, 15 faculty members called out the university for its decision. While five professors received notices from the university administration, action was taken against four of them as the fifth one allegedly gave an apology.