Greater Noida: The alleged corruption case at Gautam Buddha University (GBU) is widening, with fresh allegations now emerging over the utilisation of ₹10 crore received under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). According to sources linked to the investigation, the funds were shown as fully utilised in official records, while in reality a significant portion remained unspent in bank accounts.
₹10 Crore Claimed Spent, But Ground Work Tells Another Story
At the centre of the controversy is former registrar Dr. Vishwas Tripathi, who is accused of designing a system that bypassed established procedures to project full utilisation of the grant. On March 16, 2021, a utilisation certificate was submitted to the Ministry of Education claiming that the entire ₹10 crore had been spent. However, preliminary findings suggest that little to no substantial work was executed on the ground.
Sources indicate that due process in the utilisation of funds was allegedly ignored. As per norms, such infrastructure-related works are to be assigned to government agencies, but in this case, a private agency was reportedly awarded the contract. Furthermore, mandatory procedures such as open tendering and audit compliance were allegedly bypassed, raising serious concerns over transparency and accountability.
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Written Objections Ignored as Committee Changes Raise Eyebrows
It has also been reported that a project manager from the Noida Authority had raised objections in writing on March 3, 2021. In his communication to the university administration, he flagged irregularities in the allocation of work and pointed out violations of established rules. Despite these objections, no corrective action was taken at the time.
Investigators have further found that officials and staff members who questioned the process were sidelined. The committee responsible for overseeing the fund utilisation was later reconstituted, allegedly to influence decision-making. Sources claim that the restructuring of the committee enabled the manipulation of records to present the fund usage as legitimate.
Fake Utilisation Certificate and Private Contract Deal Trigger Fresh Suspicion
The RUSA scheme, launched in 2013, aims to improve the quality, accessibility, and equity of higher education in state institutions across India. It provides strategic funding for infrastructure development, upgradation of existing facilities, and procurement of laboratory equipment. Under this framework, Gautam Buddha University received ₹10 crore, with allocations broadly divided into new infrastructure (35%), upgradation of existing facilities (35%), and labs and equipment (30%).
However, allegations suggest that the funds were not utilised in line with these objectives. Irregularities have been reported in works related to civil construction, electrical systems, horticulture, security, and painting. In several instances, payments were allegedly shown without corresponding work being completed, indicating possible misappropriation of funds.
Probe Into Records, Bank Trails and Administrative Decisions Gains Momentum
Sources also reveal that signatures of committee members were obtained on January 5, 2021, for the utilisation of the RUSA fund. Subsequently, changes were made to the committee, raising questions about the integrity of the decision-making process. This sequence of events has cast doubt on the transparency and fairness of the entire exercise.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, calls for a high-level inquiry are growing louder. The repeated emergence of irregularities within the university has raised broader concerns about administrative functioning and oversight mechanisms. If proven, the case could have far-reaching implications not only as a financial irregularity but also in terms of institutional credibility.
At present, investigators are examining relevant documents, financial records, and transaction trails linked to the fund utilisation. Officials believe that further disclosures are likely as the probe progresses, which could bring more individuals under scrutiny and deepen the scope of the investigation.
