The North Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) has voiced serious concern and disappointment following the arrest of Prof. Nirmalendu Saha, the senior-most faculty member of the university, in a bribery case. “We do not tolerate any form of corruption and will not shield any member if proven guilty,” said NEHUTA General Secretary Prof. Lakhon Kma.
On June 11, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended Prof. Saha—who holds the position of Dean of the School of Life Sciences and Professor in the Department of Zoology—along with a private individual during a ₹3.43 lakh bribe transaction at the Gauhati University Guest House.
“We will stand by any member who is wrongfully targeted or in genuine distress, but will completely disassociate from any member found indulging in corrupt practices,” Prof. Kma asserted. He described the allegations as deeply troubling, especially since Prof. Saha is scheduled to retire in December 2025 after a long academic career.
According to the FIR, the second accused has been identified as Pranjal Sharma, a resident of Beltola, Guwahati, and the proprietor of a firm supplying scientific equipment. The CBI alleges that Sharma, in collusion with Prof. Saha and unknown others, engaged in corrupt practices to influence the awarding of supply orders and clearance of bills in return for bribes.
The CBI laid a trap and caught the duo red-handed. Subsequent searches at two locations led to the recovery of incriminating documents, with investigations still underway at another site.
Reiterating NEHUTA’s zero-tolerance policy, Prof. Kma stated, “If the charges are proven, it would mark a shameful end to the career of one of the university’s most senior faculty members.”
