Visva-Bharati authorities framed charges against Rajesh K.V, an assistant professor of the department of drama and general secretary of Adhyapak Sabha, accusing him of visiting the academics and research section “almost every day” by neglecting his duty.

There were allegations that he had been “targeted” for initially refusing to sign a petition prepared by the authorities against one of his colleagues. The chargesheet against Rajesh was signed by officiating registrar Ashok Mahato reads.

“Shri Rajesh K. V. Assistant Professor, Department of Rabindra Sangit, Dance and Drama, Sangit Bhavana comes to Academic and Research Section almost every day from 3.30PM to 6.00PM neglecting his duties at his department and Bhavana. These are prejudicial to the interest of the university and in terms of CCS(CCA) Rule and provisions of the Visva-Bharati Act 1951 and statues made thereunder and such kind of acts may be regarded as misconduct,” the chargesheet signed by officiating registrar Ashok Mahato reads.

Rajesh, popular on campus as Rajesh Venugopal, becomes the second teacher to face the wrath of varsity officials after Sudipta Bhattacharyya, the president of Visva-Bharati University Faculty Association and a whistleblower against activities by vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty, was suspended in January.

On February 26, all teachers of English department were allegedly “confined” by authorities in a bid to grab a copy of a mass petition written to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi informing them about the state-of-affairs of the varsity. The charge was later rejected by the varsity.

The action against Rajesh raised questions about the varsity’s recent activities to gag voices of dissent as it was the first case of any teacher being charge-sheeted for visiting the varsity’s academic and research department.

“It is unheard of that a teacher could be questioned for visiting a department associated with academic and research. I have been working here for around 20 years and never heard of such a ridiculous reason. We always visit the academic and research department. What is wrong if someone sits and spends time with senior officials,” said a varsity teacher.

Officials said Rajesh was first served a showcause notice and charges were framed against him on Saturday that was served to him on Monday. Framing charges is a step forward to punish any employee under act and statues of Visva-Bharati and service act for central government employees.

A teacher in Sangit Bhavana said in the last routine, Rajesh had not been allotted any class in his department between 3.30pm and 6.30pm. “Rajesh stayed here all through the pandemic even though the campus was closed. He joined in 2012 but we never found him neglecting duty,” said a colleague of Rajesh.

Sources said in mid-February the VC had called a meeting where Rajesh was asked to sign on a paper accusing a woman teacher of the department of “misconduct”. Rajesh had initially refused to sign on the dotted lines but was again summoned after two days when the authorities allegedly forced him to sign.

“Rajesh told me that he had signed the paper under force amid threats that he would face professional hazards,” said a teacher.

Rajesh, however, refused to comment when this newspaper got in touch with him for his reaction on the issue. Visva-Bharati’s public relations officer Anirban Sircar did not take calls and nor did he respond to messages. on action taken against Rajesh K V when contacted through text message.