CBI registers FIR against Kanpur varsity V-C accused of extortion, cheating

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered an FIR against Kanpur’s Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Vinay Pathak and others over the allegations of extortion and cheating. The FIR was registered days after the Uttar Pradesh government sent a letter to the Centre, recommending a CBI probe into the graft and extortion case filed against Pathak, former V-C of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, and others in October.

So far, UP Police’s Special Task Force (STF), which was investigating the case, has arrested three persons, including Pathak’s alleged associate Ajay Mishra, owner of Xlict company. The other two accused were identified as Ajay Jain and Santosh Kumar Singh, Mishra’s alleged associates, official said.

“Pathak and his associates have been booked for allegedly extorting money from one David Mario Dennis, managing director of Digitex Technologic India Pvt Ltd for approving bills related to conducting examinations at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar University in Agra. Pathak had served as the officiating V-C of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra, from January to September 2022. Dennis’ firm Digitex Technologic India Pvt Ltd helps universities in conducting both pre and post-examination work,” the official said.

Over the past two months, the STF had issued several notices to Pathak asking him to join the probe. However, Pathak never turned up nor his representative appeared before the STF to explain his absence.