SLUG: SIX-YEAR DELAY
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Technological University (GTU) on Tuesday suspended its information technology (IT) department head, Keuyr Shah, and initiated a departmental inquiry following his alleged involvement in the Course on Computer Concepts (CCC) exam scam.
The action against Shah was initiated after a report by a probe committee formed by the university concluded his involvement in the scam, where scores of the examinees were illegally modified. The GTU is contemplating legal action against Shah, according to university sources. Questions are also being raised over the six-year delay in response in connection with irregularities that surfaced in the 2018 CCC exam.
At a recent Board meeting, the university shared these findings and decided to suspend Shah. The findings confirmed that Shah, while serving as IT department head from Oct 14, 2013, to Nov 15, 2022, inappropriately altered exam marks.
During the suspension, Shah must report to Gujarat Power Engineering and Research Institute (GPERI), Mehsana. He cannot engage in private employment or commercial activities and must provide written acknowledgement of compliance. Additionally, he requires written permission from the controlling officer to leave headquarters.
Shah served as CCC exam coordinator from 2015, simultaneously managing coordination responsibilities and result declarations.
The CCC certification, which evaluates computer competency, is essential for govt jobs. GTU conducted this assessment. Inconsistencies in results were identified after the 2018 exam. Despite the then exam coordinator Mahesh Panchal's written grievance, the response was considerably delayed. The situation's escalation compelled the university to set up an investigation panel. Their submission to the Board of Governors revealed that 39 marks of candidates were modified, surpassing the initial estimate of three cases.