Pune: SPPU Takes Action Against Professor for Alleged Bribery in Ph.D. Thesis Submission
Pune, 4th April 2024: Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has taken action against a professor found guilty of demanding a bribe from a student to submit a PhD thesis.
Dr Shakuntala Mane, a professor of Economics at Baburaoji Gholap College, had allegedly asked for a bribe of Rs 25 thousand from a student for thesis submission at SPPU. However, the student filed a complaint, leading the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to lay a trap and apprehend Dr Mane in the act.
In response to this incident and the broader issue of harassment faced by research students from PhD guides in the education sector, SPPU has taken measures. SPPU has revoked the ‘guideship’ of Dr Mane and transferred all eight students under her guidance to another mentor. Moreover, SPPU has initiated steps to ensure a safer environment for PhD students by introducing an anonymous complaint facility.
Dr. Parag Kalkar, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, emphasized the seriousness with which SPPU regards such misconduct. He highlighted SPPU’s commitment to maintaining integrity and ethical standards within its academic community. Additionally, the concerned research centre has been instructed to furnish a report detailing the actions taken in response to this incident.
