Former GU VC Now Accused of Buying Gold, Silver and Bandhani Using University Funds

Ahmedabad: Former Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Neerja Gupta is facing fresh scrutiny over the alleged misuse of university funds, with records reportedly showing that purchases of gold, silver jewellery and Bandhani garments worth nearly ₹3.79 lakh were charged to the university through its Study Abroad Program (SAP) account.

The purchases included five Bandhani items worth ₹59,350 bought from a store in Ahmedabad’s Navrangpura, silver jewellery worth ₹2.29 lakh purchased from a jeweller on CG Road, and gold worth ₹90,422 bought during a visit to Chennai in April 2025. The transactions have raised questions about the use of university funds for personal expenses. A retired judge is expected to examine the allegations as part of an inquiry into the reported irregularities.

According to the details that have emerged, Gupta purchased the five Bandhani items on May 2, 2026, shortly before her tenure was scheduled to end on June 30, 2026. The items reportedly included a blouse costing ₹6,000 and a kurti priced at ₹11,000. The amount was subsequently transferred from the SAP account to her personal account.

In another transaction, three silver jewellery items weighing a combined 851 grams were purchased from Chandidham on CG Road on June 17, 2026, for ₹2,29,175. The bill was raised in the names of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and SAP. On June 22, the payment was transferred from the SAP account to Silver Palace Private Limited, according to the available details.

The records also indicate that Gupta purchased gold worth ₹90,422 from Vummidi Shree Jewellers during a visit to Chennai in April 2025. The expense was reportedly charged to the SAP account.

The manner in which the bills were processed has also come under scrutiny. Gupta allegedly exercised direct control over the SAP programme and used the account to submit bills for the purchases rather than routing them through the university’s regular accounts department. The allegations raise questions about financial oversight and the approval of expenses within the university.

These revelations come amid a wider controversy over alleged financial irregularities during Gupta’s tenure. Earlier allegations included the purchase of cosmetics and clothing at public expense, the transfer of ₹9.75 lakh in grant funds to her son’s bank account, the alleged receipt of two salaries simultaneously, and reimbursement claims linked to foreign travel despite an official refusal.

The controversy has also drawn attention to a university order for 1,000 copies of a book authored by Gupta, for which the institution reportedly paid ₹4.14 lakh. The latest disclosures are expected to add to the scrutiny of expenditure approvals and the alleged use of university funds for personal purposes. DeshGujarat