Major Corruption Allegations Surface at Goa University Complaint Filed for Investigation

Major Corruption Allegations Surface at Goa University Complaint Filed for Investigation

Whistleblowers Demand Action Over Alleged Exam Paper Leak and Corruption

Goa, March 16, 2025 – Goa University has been rocked by serious allegations of corruption, nepotism, and academic misconduct after a formal complaint was filed at Agacaim Police Station. A group of concerned citizens and social activists, including Shri Kashinath Shetye, Inacio Domnic Pereira, Ramchandra Majrekar, John Francis Nazareth, Premindra Vernekar, Krishna Pandit, and Mariano Ferrao, have demanded a full-fledged investigation into the alleged theft of examination papers and favoritism in faculty recruitment.

Allegations Against Professor Pranav Naik

The complaint primarily targets  an Assistant Professor at Goa University, accusing him of:

• Stealing confidential examination papers and leaking them to his girlfriend to ensure she secured top marks.
• Colluding with Goa University officials who allegedly helped suppress the scandal.
• Benefiting from political interference, particularly from a former minister linked to Parsekar College of B.Ed, who allegedly helped cover up the incident.
• Attempting to secure his girlfriend a teaching position in the Physics Department, despite her low academic performance, highlighting corruption in recruitment.

University’s Silence Raises Questions

The whistleblowers have raised several critical questions about the university’s inaction:

1. How did the paper theft occur without detection?
2. Why did the head of the Physics Department fail to report the incident?
3. Why was the compromised exam paper not canceled and replaced?
4. Why did the university registrar remain silent on the issue?
5. What was the role of a former minister in shielding the accused?
6. Why did the Vice-Chancellor fail to register a police case despite knowledge of the offense?

The complainants argue that these unanswered questions indicate a much deeper conspiracy within Goa University’s administration.

Legal Framework and Supreme Court Precedents

The complaint calls for stringent legal action under:

• Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Sections 7 & 13 – related to bribery and criminal misconduct).
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (Sections 173, 316, 318, 337 – related to corruption and criminal breach of trust).
• Relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) regarding conspiracy and academic fraud.

The complainants have also cited Supreme Court judgments, including CBI vs. Ramesh Gelli (2016) and Subramanian Swamy vs. Manmohan Singh (2012), which emphasize that corruption in public institutions must be tackled with urgency.

Demands for Immediate Action

The complainants have urged authorities to:

• Immediately register an FIR against Dr. Pranav Naik and other university officials involved.
• Conduct an impartial and transparent investigation to uncover the full extent of the corruption.
• Take strict disciplinary and legal action against guilty parties.
• Ensure that all findings are made public to restore trust in Goa University’s administration.

A Test Case for Accountability in Goa’s Education System

This scandal has shaken public confidence in Goa University, raising concerns about the integrity of examinations, faculty appointments, and governance. Students and parents are demanding strict action against those responsible, warning that failure to do so could set a dangerous precedent for academic corruption in Goa.

With the case now in the hands of Agacaim Police, all eyes are on whether authorities will take swift action to ensure justice and transparency in Goa’s premier university.

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