Wed Feb 05 01:37:28 IST 2025: ## JNU Professor Suspended After CBI Arrest in NAAC Bribery Scandal

**NEW DELHI, February 5, 2025** – Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has suspended Professor Rajeev Sijariya of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Management and Entrepreneurship following his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on bribery charges. The arrest is linked to a larger investigation into the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

The CBI alleges that Prof. Sijariya, along with 14 others, including the Vice-Chancellor and officials from the Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF), a deemed-to-be-university, engaged in bribery to secure a favorable NAAC accreditation rating for KLEF. KLEF received an A++ rating in 2024 and was scheduled for a re-inspection in late January.

According to the CBI, KLEF officials allegedly colluded with NAAC officials to influence the composition of the inspection team, ensuring members favorable to KLEF were included. Prof. Sijariya, a member of the seven-person inspection panel, allegedly demanded ₹1.8 crore (approximately $218,000 USD) in bribes, ultimately accepting ₹28 lakh (approximately $34,000 USD) and a laptop. The CBI claims KLEF was informed of the panel’s composition before the official announcement.

JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit issued a suspension order on Monday, pending the outcome of the CBI and departmental inquiries. Prof. Sijariya is prohibited from leaving the area without prior permission from the Vice-Chancellor. The NAAC, an autonomous body responsible for assessing higher educational institutions, is also under scrutiny as a result of the investigation.

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