Senior IAS officer M Gopal Reddy (IAS:1985:MP) has been assigned the task of investigating suspected irregularities in Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism. He will head a three-member committee which has been directed to submit its report in 15 days.

It may be recalled that in 2017, Reddy who was then Additional Secretary, MHA, was unceremoniously repatriated (prematurely) to his cadre state of Madhya Pradesh.

Chief secretary S R Mohanty had, on Friday, issued the circular to form a probe committee to look into the allegations that the syllabus of University of Journalism and Mass Communication “promotes a particular ideology”, and to probe alleged irregularities in the recruitment of faculty.

The BJP has dubbed the move as unconstitutional. “The chief secretary has no authority to interfere in the autonomy of a university". It may be mentioned that the Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the university resigned in the past fortnight or so.

The committee will probe allegations that the university ignored UGC guidelines while recruiting and appointing teachers since 2003. Employees appointed in the last 15 years will come under the scanner, say sources. If the committee finds irregularities in recruitment of faculty, it will fix accountability.