Were GIPE's Funds Diverted For Benefit Of A Private Individual? Documents Make New Charges On Ajit Ranade

The controversy over the appointment of Ajit Ranade as the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economins (GIPE), Pune, has now brought into scrutiny his tenure as the VC as well. 

Documents seen by Swarajya allege that, as Vice Chancellor, Ranade facilitated the diversion of GIPE's funds in a way that eventually benefited the business interests of a private individual.

The summary of the transaction and the charge made on Ranade in the document, is as follows: 

1. The Audit Report of GIPE for FY 2022-23 shows that the GIPE paid Rs 1.5 crore as ‘advance’ for the Servants of India Society (SIS) to get land in Nagpur. SIS is the sponsoring body of GIPE.  

2. What GIPE gets in return for this payment, the pro quo, was to be worked out by a two-member committee, formed through a decision of GIPE’s Board of Management (BoM). 

4. The document also says that ‘to date, there has been no explanation for what GIPE gets in return [for the Rs 1.5 crore payment]. GIPE has no premises in Nagpur. Nor is there any plan to expand there’. 

5. The document alleges that one of the members of the committee wants the land to expand their business in Nagpur. This person is also an office-bearer of the SIS. 

6. The document also mentions that the decision to determine what GIPE gets in return of the Rs 1.5 crore payment should not have been left to a two-member committee but should have seen a wider discussion at the BoM. 

7. The note also alleges that as VC, Ranade made unilateral appointments to his personal staff and that this staff’s pay was more than that of even the Professors at GIPE. 

These charges add another dimension to the ongoing controversy around Ranade’s appointment as the VC of GIPE. 

The 'Ranade at GIPE' controversy: A timeline

2021

Ranade, who had been part of the Board of the Management of GIPE, is allegedly present in meetings that take place to determine the procedures and nominations related to the formation of the ‘Search-cum-Selection Committee' for the appointment of the VC.

September 

The said committee, with Ranade still being on the BoM, invites Ranade to apply for the post of the VC. Ranade expresses willingness. 

October

Ranade resigns from the BoM only in late October 2021 while allegedly being a member of it all this while. 

2022 

Ranade is appointed as Vice Chancellor of GIPE

2023

—Following this, the then Chancellor of GIPE, Dr Rajiv Kumar, issues a show cause notice to Ranade, asking why appropriate action must not be initiated against him for not possessing the required qualifications. 

2024

In late June, the UGC requests an action-taken report from GIPE and says that it would initiate its own inquiry on Ranade's appointment if no action was reported.

July

Dr Bibek Debroy is appointed Chancellor of GIPE. He sets up a Fact Finding Committee (FFC) to look into the issue. 

September

—FFC concludes that it is ‘legally untenable’ for Ranade to continue in his position. This report is submitted on 13 September. 

—On 14 September, acting on the findings of the FFC, Chancellor Dr Bibek Debroy terminates Ranade’s appointment with immediate effect. 

—Ranade seeks some time to 'complete certain formalities'. Chancellor pushes termination to 21 September, 2024. In the meantime, Ranade filed a petition with the Bombay High Court, challenging the decision.

—Court grants Ranade interim relief, allowing him to continue in his role until at least 7 October, 2024. 

—Following court’s stay to Ranade, Dr Bibek Debroy resigns as Chancellor of GIPE on 26 September. In a letter to UGC Chairman, Debroy says that GIPE now stands in direct violation to UGC stipulations on Deemed to be Universities.