North-Eastern Hill University has formally suspended Professor Nirmalendu Saha after he spent 48 hours in Central Bureau of Investigation custody, the institution’s Public Relations Officer announced on Friday. The suspension follows university regulations that automatically trigger such action when faculty members remain in investigative custody beyond two days. Professor Saha, who holds dual roles as Dean of the School of Life Sciences and Professor of Zoology at the Shillong-based university, was arrested on June 12 during a CBI sting operation at Guwahati University Guest House.
He was caught accepting Rs 3.43 lakh in bribes while allegedly facilitating supply contracts potentially worth significantly more. The arrest came after the CBI received credible intelligence about systematic corruption in the award of supply contracts for scientific equipment and laboratory materials. Investigators found that Saha had been colluding with Pranjal Sharma, a businessman from Beltola, Guwahati, who owns a supply firm involved in manipulating the procurement process.
CBI officials revealed that the accused private contractor worked “in collusion with the Professor of Zoology and Dean of School of Life Sciences” and unknown others to engage in corrupt practices. The scheme involved facilitating undue advantages for Saha in exchange for awarding supply orders for scientific equipment and laboratory items, as well as clearing related bills.