In what appears to be a case of arm- twisting the rules, a retired professor of Delhi University has been diverting varsity funds to his accounts- something which he cannot do as per the rulebook.

The case refers to C R Babu, project in- charge of two bioversity parks- Yamuna Biodiversity park and Aravalli Biodiversity park, which DU is developing jointly with Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

Babu, who was the pro- vice chancellor of the university, retired on June 30, 2005.

On June 11- twenty days before his retirement, he appointed Kanwar Manjeet Singh, then a finance officer as a registrar.

Interestingly, June 11 was a Friday and the next two days were holidays.

Then registrar, Dr A K Dubey was on a one day leave at that time.

The same day, Singh wrote letters to the DDA vice- chairman, secretary, ministry of environment and forest and department of biotechnology, ministry of science and technology.

The letters said that the university had entrusted the establishment and management of Yamuna Biodiversity park and Aravalli biodiversity park to Prof Babu. “However, since these projects were entrusted by the DDA to Prof Babu on account of his personal expertise in this field, the university has made special provisions to enable smooth execution of financial as well as administrative issues of these projects.,” said the letter.

According to the letter, Prof Babu would continue to be associated with the varsity in his capacity as Professor Emeritus.

“The University of Delhi has empowered Prof Babu to operate, pursue and state all transactions and administrative nature with regard to the above mentioned projects,” said the letter.

This is a clear violation of Ordinance XII-B the Delhi university act which says that Professor Emeritus will carry with it no financial commitment.

“Prof Babu has got more than Rs 40 crore in the last five years as an in- charge of the projects,” says T K Roy, who has been following this issue and has also filed RTI applications in this regard.

Roy says that the only document varsity has to show that it has appointed Prof Babu as in- charge of these projects, are letters dated June 11, 2005, written by Manjeet Singh.

In response to RTI applications, DDA also provided Roy with a copy of this letter.