Legal notice issued to KL University over withheld certificates & unethical practices

Mumbai, Jul 15: In a significant development, Nripendra Krishna Roy, Advocate in Kolkata High Court on behalf of Dr Shubhro Chakrabartty has issued a legal notice to Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KL University, Vijayawada), alleging unethical and illegal practices by the institution.

The notice, sent through his legal representative outlines several serious grievances, including the withholding of Dr Chakrabartty’s original degree certificates and unauthorized use of his name and designation. Dr Chakrabartty, who joined KL University as a faculty member on September 26, 2022, resigned from his position effective October 10, 2023.

Despite repeated requests, the university has not returned his original certificates for B Tech, M Tech, and PhD, causing considerable distress and professional hindrance. Adding to the controversy, it has come to light that the university continues to display Dr Chakrabartty’s name and designation on its official website, despite his resignation. This unauthorized use of his credentials is a breach of ethical standards and potentially violates AICTE regulations and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

During his tenure, Dr Chakrabartty made significant contributions to the university’s academic and research stature by publishing two Science Citation Index (SCI) papers under KL University's affiliation. However, the institution has not provided the honorarium for these publications, further exacerbating the situation.

A mail sent by this correspondent to the university authorities in this connection remained unsolicited. The situation remains tense as Dr Chakrabartty awaits the redressal of his grievances. This case highlights the critical importance of ethical practices in academic institutions and the potential consequences of failing to adhere to regulatory standards.