A financial scam involving fee collection has occurred in the PhD Cell of Swami Vivekanand Technical University (CSVTU), Bhilai. A preliminary report by a two-member investigation committee constituted by the university confirmed embezzlement of Rs 9,44,500. The investigation found that PhD scholars were charged in cash and online and issued fake receipts. The university's Executive Council has decided to file an FIR in this matter. It may be noted that the university administration constituted the committee on December 1, 2025, to investigate financial irregularities in the PhD Cell. During investigation it was informed that during the relevant period, PhD Cell was managed by Junior Advisor Sunil Kumar Prasad under the supervision of the then Academic In-charge Dr. Deepti Verma. The investigation committee also studied the information provided by the Chief Finance Officer. In 22 cases, researchers made online payments directly to the university account.

 

Serious irregularities were found in the remaining 30 cases. Cash receipts were attached in 11 cases, which were found to be fraudulent upon verification by the Finance Department. No receipt or proof of payment was found in 19 cases. 16 cash receipt receipts were verified by the Finance Department, where all receipts were found to be fraudulent. Researchers stated that payments were made at the behest of their advisor. PhD scholars were called to testify at the investigation committee meeting where seven researchers appeared in person, while some submitted their statements via email. All researchers admitted to the committee that they deposited the fees at the behest of Junior Advisor Sunil Kumar Prasad.

 

The researchers also submitted receipts for the online payments to the committee. During investigation appearing before the Inquiry Committee, Sunil Kumar Prasad admitted in his statement that he had received the funds from the researchers, both in cash and online and claimed that he acted on the instructions of the then-acting Registrar, Ankit Arora. The funds received from the researchers were handed over to him, and receipts were provided. However, no concrete evidence was presented to support this. The then-acting Registrar, Ankit Arora, denied all allegations in his statement presented to the inquiry committee. He stated that he neither collected any money nor issued any receipts. He offered the committee permission to conduct an independent investigation by a handwriting expert and a cyber audit. Based on the inquiry committee's report, the University's Executive Council unanimously decided to file a FIR against Junior Advisor Sunil Kumar Prasad and has filed an application in the Nevai police station regarding the matter and has demanded legal action by registering a FIR under the relevant sections.