Cobalt-60 case: DU teachers' body demands resignation of vice chancellor

The Delhi University Teachers Association today demanded a visitorial inquiry into the auction of radioactive material by the Chemistry department which led to the death of a scrap worker and said the Vice Chancellor should step down for enabling a fair probe.

Highly critical of the role of VC Deepak Pental in then entire episode, the teachers rejected his proposal to set up an inquiry into the matter, arguing that any probe under the university administration will be an "eye-wash".

The origin of radioactive cobalt-60 found in west Delhi's Mayapuri, which led to the death of one person, was traced to Delhi university's Chemistry department where it was lying unused since the last 25 years.

"We are writing to the president of India seeking a Visitorial inquiry. The president as the visitor of the institution should constitute a committee of experts to
examine the case and fix the blame," DUTA president Aditya Narayan Misra said at a press conference here.

He said the case requires an impartial inquiry which does not seem to be possible under the supervision of the VC, whose role itself is questionable.

"Any purchase or selling off of equipment takes place only after his due permission. His accepting the moral responsibility is not enough. He should resign immediately, or else his bosses in the HRD ministry should sack him," Misra said.

The association said the fact that the trail of such material led to the Delhi university is "shameful and unfortunate" and depicts the casual and callous way in which the radioactive equipment was sold out to the scrap dealer.

"The VC is trying to protect himself. He will also be protecting others. Let him say he was not aware of the disposal, let him say he is not purchasing equipment for labs," Misra said.

DUTA members also lashed out at the administration for "keeping silent" for a month even as crores of rupees of government money was being spent to find out the source of the radioactive Cobalt-60 found in the scrap shop in Mayapuri.

"The VC is an educated man, he is from the Science background as well. It is absurd that he did not know the facts. The gravity of the matter does not appear to have registered on his conscience," said Jafri Abbas, joint secretary.

However, they said for the fault of the administration, the studies and research in nuclear science should not suffer.

"We appeal to the agencies not to impose a ban on research, which would affect a number of students, but we also ask them to ensure strict standards of safety are followed," said Rajesh Upadhyay, DUTA Treasurer.

Terming it as a case of criminal negligence, he said the VC's statement that he was not willing to penalise anyone was shocking.

Members also demanded a moratorium on nuclear or radioactive research until a reassessment of safety standards in undertaken, while calling for an immediate suspension of the Chemistry department officials who oversaw the February 26 auction.

"Verification of standards in necessary to ensure the safety of the students and the staff," said Sachin N, Member, DUTA Executive Committee.