GU ex-VC shopped for lipsticks, makeup at university expense abroad, alleges NSUI; protests

Ahmedabad: National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) members staged a protest at Gujarat University on Saturday after allegations surfaced that former Vice-Chancellor Dr Neerja Gupta had allegedly used university funds for personal shopping during an overseas trip.

According to documents cited in reports, purchases worth $386.98 (around ₹33,300) were allegedly included in expense claims submitted to the university. The purchases included beauty products from a Dubai airport duty-free outlet, cosmetics from Sephora and clothing from Zara in the US.

The alleged Sephora purchases, worth $139.68, included a highlighter, lipstick and powder blush, while a $149.80 Zara bill reportedly covered a shirt and a dress. A separate $97.50 purchase was made at a Dubai duty-free outlet.

Gupta travelled to the US in April 2024 to attend an award function in New Jersey. The allegations relate to expenses incurred during the trip that were subsequently submitted as part of university expenditure.

The latest allegations come amid wider scrutiny of Gupta’s tenure as vice-chancellor. She has also faced allegations concerning recruitment, payments made under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) and other financial transactions. These allegations are being examined through an official inquiry.

A one-member inquiry committee headed by retired Gujarat High Court judge Justice Dipak Vyas has been constituted under the Gujarat Public University Act. The committee has been given three months to submit its report.

Meanwhile, Youth Congress and NSUI have intensified protests over the allegations, demanding an FIR and recovery of any funds found to have been misused. During a protest on Friday, activists allegedly put lipstick on Gupta’s photograph and broke bangles on the vice-chancellor’s desk, following which police detained several protesters.

NSUI leader Chirag Darji alleged that Gupta had earlier been involved in a ₹40-crore scam and that fresh allegations had now surfaced over the use of university funds for personal expenses. He also demanded that the inquiry committee provide monthly progress reports, saying protesters would not wait three months for the committee’s final report.

Congress leader and Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee working president Indravijaysinh Gohil has also levelled several allegations against Gupta, including claims of irregular recruitment, foreign-travel expenses and the transfer of university funds to her son’s overseas account. Gohil has challenged Gupta to participate in a live debate and said he would produce documents to support his allegations.

Gupta has previously denied the allegations and maintained that she is innocent. The fresh allegations concerning expenses incurred during foreign trips may also be examined as part of the ongoing inquiry.

DeshGujarat