Govt seeks 2 months time to investigate into KSU corruption allegation against NLUM VC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 30, 2025

The state government has assured to institute an inquiry into the alleged corrupt practices, mismanagement and maladministration of the Vice Chancellor of the National Law University, Meghalaya (NLUM) Prof Indrajit Dube.

This was informed by the Khasi Students Union (KSU) general secretary Donald V Thabah after submitting a complaint against the NLUM VC before the Minister in-charge Law Ampareen Lyngdoh on Friday.

“She (Lyngdoh) has asked for two months (time) to carry out an investigation and to submit the findings to the governing council and executive committee (of the university) which includes high court judges to scrutinize all our complaints,” Thabah told reporters.

“We have actually demanded for the removal of the vice chancellor but it seems there are certain problems with his removal but they have assured to submit the findings (of the inquiry) to the finance committee and executive committee…and action will be taken,” he added.

The complaint lodged by the KSU was based on RTI findings which alleged revealed gross financial mismanagement by the Vice Chancellor besides various misconduct in the recruitment process.

“On 25th of February, 2025 the Union has address some of the anomalies in the recruitment process to most of the members of the Governing Council of NLUM whose members consist of Judges of Meghalaya High Court, officials from the State Government, the Vice Chancellor and other stakeholders, whereby in their General Council Meeting on the 26th of February, 2025 has address the issues and resolutions and instructions were given to the Vice Chancellor but to the utter dismay the Vice Chancellor did not take any corrective measures which was disclose to the Union after getting the RTI replies,” Thabah said.

“Prof Indrajit Dube runs NLUM in an authoritarian manner, recruiting staffs whoever is in his close aid neglecting the potential candidates from the indigenous tribal community and has no interest in the growth of NLUM but only on his selfish gains,” he said while adding “Some of the others who have been recruited in the teaching faculty are also a by-product of nepotism as they are kins of some state officials.”

The union also alleged that Prof. Indrajit Dube makes frequent visits and travels to Delhi, Kolkata and other parts of country at the expenses of the University adding even trips which are designated as official or operational visits lacks any documentation evidence such as invitations letters or any other official documents.

It said the RTI revealed that since the inception of NLUM in 2023, Prof Indrajit Dube has spent Rs 15.10 lakh on his visits which includes his flight tickets, accommodation, fooding, etc, most of which deem as his personal visits, hence is wasting the State Government and public money for his own personal benefits.

Stating that the Vice Chancellor is entitled to medical reimbursement and reimbursement on travels and accommodations for official purpose only, the Union said it has also gathered hundreds of his food receipts amounting to lakhs of money.

“The Union is not rigid of the fact that fooding is essential but there should be cap or a limit to it. As per the receipts that the Union gathered, it shows that Prof. Indrajit Dube spend lavishly on fooding at fancy restaurants, coffee from ‘Starbucks’, etc., and all the bills are to be paid by the State Government.”  

The Union also pointed out that, as per RTI, NLUM organised an event for “Climate Investment Coalition for the Global South” on the 20th of February, 2025 in Delhi and the total estimated budget for the programme was estimated at Rs 25 lakh.

“The Union have no qualms in regards to the programmes and the expenditure incurred thereof, but the Union condemns State money being utilise for alcoholic beverages. As per the bill, it is seen that an amount of Rs. 3,56,750 or so was spend on alcoholic beverages by Prof. Indrajit Dube on the said programme. This is totally misused of funds and such wasteful expenditure should not be reimbursed to him by the State Government,” it said.

Alleging that there has been excessive expenditure on IT infrastructure rather than uplifting the academic field, Thabah said NLUM lacks teaching faculty on various subject but the Vice Chancellor makes no effort in publishing any advertisement for the teaching faculty recruitment but rather incur bills on materials that has no significance.

One such example is the procurement of 48 numbers of SIP Intercom Speaker with Two Communication which is typically a device that enables a communication within a building or network. There are also various other electronic gadgets which have been procured which has no significance to the student community and is a wastage of money as a whole.

Further, the KSU leader also alleged illegal appointment and illegal salaries disbursement by the Vice Chancellor to the Prof. of Practice, Prof. of in Residence, Associate Professor in Residence, Research Fellow, Post-Doctoral Fellow, etc.

Prof. Indrajit Dube on his own accords drafted the First Statutes, 2023 and gave himself the power to appoint any person without any process but only on his discretion, which has allowed him to abuse this power for corrupt practices.

Prof. Indrajit Dube has appointed 6 people which include 3 (three) Prof. of Practice, 1 (one) Associate Prof. in Residence and 2 Prof. in Residence for their expertise in various fields which will help the students. As per the RTI, they are required to give about 20 hours of lecture in a month either remotely or in person but the Union found out that since their joining, out of the 6 only 2 professors have taken some classes which is also below the required mandate and 4 of them didn’t take class at all. These are the findings as per the RTI.

But they draw their salaries/honorarium and other benefits without doing anything beneficial for the students. The 3 (three) Prof. of Practice appointed by Prof. Indrajit Dube since September, 2023 has incurred an overall expense of Rs. 46,83,500 as salaries/honorarium at Rs. 1,50,000/- per month and Rs. 8,26,301 for travel and other expenses without taking any classes or lectures.

The Union has sought information through RTI in regards to the numbers of teaching hours, lectures, conferences, workshops, etc done by the Prof. of Practice but there were no available records because they never take any classes.

“This is pure act of corruption and exploitation of the students and State resources and this cannot be left unpunished.

Also, there are those who are appointed as Research Scholar and doing their PhD in NLUM but still drawing their salaries which is inappropriate and also there are dozens other financial anomalies and corrupt practices which has been initiated by Prof. Indrajit Dube,” Thabah stated.