Shocking Grant Scam Rocks D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth!

Grant Scam Rocks D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth

• Registrar Accused of RTI Violations

• ₹8.86 Crore Grant Under UGC Scanner

• D.Y. Patil Registrar Blocks Transparency

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098

Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, is under UGC investigation for alleged misuse of ₹8.86 crore in public grants and evasion of RTI norms. Registrar J.S. Bhawalkar faces accusations of blocking transparency and violating governance protocols. Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) uncovers serious accountability lapses affecting students and public fund usage.

Contents

Grant Scam Rocks D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth • Registrar Accused of RTI Violations • ₹8.86 Crore Grant Under UGC Scanner • D.Y. Patil Registrar Blocks Transparency ₹8.86 Crore in Grants Under Scanner at Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth RTI Stonewalled: Transparency Denied in Fee Committee and appellate Inquiry Governance Lapses: Legal Officers Issuing Official Responses UGC Steps In: Probe Into Financial Irregularities and RTI Evasion Why This Controversy Matters to Public Stakeholders Current Status: UGC Launches Dual Inquiry Into Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Summary Table of Grants Received Transparency, Governance and Accountability in Question Past Allegations of Capitation and Fee Irregularities Also Read: MOFSL Case Exclusive: Harassment Allegations Shake Motilal Oswal.Related Article: Patil Medical College Scam: ₹100 Crore Fees Extortion at Pune.Related Article: MBBS Scam Hits PMO Office: DY Patil Medical College ₹200 Cr Fraud For Illegal demanding 5th‑Year Fees.Related Article: Patil Medical College Scam Exposed: SIT Uncovers Fee & Record Fraud.Related Article: Patil Medical College Fee Scam Uncovered: SIT Exposé Reveals ₹32 Lakh Racket.RTI Non-Compliance Pattern Unresolved Faculty and Infrastructure Complaints

₹8.86 Crore in Grants Under Scanner at Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth

Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, a top-ranked deemed-to-be university with NAAC’s prestigious “A++” grade, is under serious scrutiny for alleged misuse of public grants and evasion of financial transparency norms. Registrar Jitendrashyam Sunder Bhawalkar has come under the spotlight for allegedly suppressing Right to Information (RTI) disclosures and mishandling crores in taxpayer-funded grants.

Grant Scam Exposed at D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Registrar Accused.

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As per verified records reviewed by the Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT), the university received over ₹8.86 crore in central and private research grants. Key beneficiaries and project breakdowns include:

•Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India:

Total: ₹801.52 lakhs (₹578.20 lakhs from DBT, ₹148 lakhs from Praj Industries, ₹75.32 lakhs from the Vidyapeeth)

Purpose: Industrial research on microbial diversity

•All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE):

Study Tour Grant (YUVAK): ₹2,00,000

Faculty Development Program (ATAL): ₹93,000

Additional balances: ₹15.4 lakhs noted in opening records

•Department of Science & Technology (DST):

Faculty-level research grants (total amount not publicly disclosed)

•Savitribai Phule Pune University:

₹44,600 disbursed for seminars and examination activities, including the 2021 SET exam

Despite receiving these substantial grants, official records show the university has failed to submit mandatory utilization certificates, financial audits, and signed Memoranda of Agreements (MoAs) to the respective government authorities.

RTI Stonewalled: Transparency Denied in Fee Committee and appellate Inquiry

On June 6, 2025, Bhawalkar’s office rejected an RTI appeal (Ref: UGCOM/A/E/25/00652) requesting information on the university’s fee regulation committee. The denial was based on the claim that the institution is “not a public authority” under the RTI Act—an assertion that contradicts Supreme Court rulings, especially the 2022 Thalappalam Service Cooperative Bank Ltd. vs. State of Kerala judgment.

Key information that remains undisclosed includes:

•Names and designations of the fee committee members

•Minutes and documentation of MBBS fee structuring meetings

•Proof of compliance with National Medical Commission (NMC) anti-profiteering guidelines

Such opacity not only raises governance red flags but also puts students at risk of arbitrary fee structures.

Governance Lapses: Legal Officers Issuing Official Responses

A formal grievance registered with the University Grants Commission (UGC) (Ref: DPG/O/2025/80558) further reveals a pattern of procedural bypass. According to this complaint, all official responses concerning grant utilization and institutional policies were issued by non-statutory legal officers, instead of the Registrar or Vice-Chancellor as mandated by UGC norms.

Legal experts consulted by Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) indicate that this could constitute a violation of both UGC Regulations and Section 3 of the UGC Act, which governs the autonomy and accountability of deemed universities.

Compounding the issue, Bhawalkar’s defense cited outdated legal precedents, intentionally overlooking binding constitutional interpretations favoring RTI applicability for publicly funded institutions.

Grant Scam Exposed at D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth

UGC Steps In: Probe Into Financial Irregularities and RTI Evasion

Amid mounting evidence and public concern, the UGC issued a formal directive on June 30, 2025, demanding immediate submission of all pending audit documents. Whistleblowers and student advocacy groups have urged the UGC to:

•Immediately suspend central grant disbursement to the institution

•Conduct an independent forensic audit of all financial records

•Consider derecognition under the UGC Act for systemic non-compliance

These developments have sparked growing outrage, especially from the student community, which now fears exploitative fee practices and administrative opacity.

Why This Controversy Matters to Public Stakeholders

This case holds significance beyond the walls of one university:

•Public Accountability: Although Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth identifies as a self-financed institution, it has availed crores in public funding, warranting full compliance with RTI and audit norms.

•Student Rights: Lack of transparency risks enabling unfair fee hikes, denial of redress, and capitation-like practices.

•Regulatory Precedent: The outcome of this probe could set a critical precedent for over 120 deemed-to-be universities operating under similar frameworks in India.

According to higher education analysts, the case may force the UGC to revise and tighten RTI compliance norms for all publicly assisted educational institutions.

Current Status: UGC Launches Dual Inquiry Into Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth

As of July 2025, the UGC has initiated a two-tiered investigation:

1.RTI Compliance Review – to examine the validity of the university’s “non-public authority” claim.

2.Financial Forensic Audit – to trace the flow, usage, and reporting of the ₹8.86 crore in grants.

The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) continues to monitor developments and gather documentation to track legal, regulatory and administrative responses to this issue.

• Key Records and Documents for Verification

•RTI Appeal Reference: UGCOM/A/E/25/00652

•UGC Grievance No.: DPG/O/2025/80558

•Public grant audit trails and funding agreements.

Note: Despite multiple formal queries, both Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Registrar Jitendrashyam Sunder Bhawalkar and Vice Chancellor NJ Pawar declined to comment. The identity of the primary complainant remains protected as per journalistic and legal norms.

Summary Table of Grants Received

Government Agency

Total Grant (₹)

Purpose

DBT (Govt. of India)

₹801.52 lakhs

Microbial diversity research

AICTE

₹2.93 lakhs+

Study tours, faculty development

DST

Undisclosed

Faculty research support

Savitribai Phule Pune University

₹44,600+

Seminars and exam-related

Transparency, Governance and Accountability in Question

This unfolding controversy at Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth reflects deeper governance issues across India’s higher education ecosystem. With alleged financial irregularities, RTI denials, and procedural violations, the case represents a serious test for the UGC’s regulatory capacity. The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) emphasizes the need for swift, impartial action to protect student interests and uphold the integrity of publicly supported academic institutions.

Past Allegations of Capitation and Fee Irregularities

D Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, has long been under the scanner for its opaque fee structures, especially in medical and dental programs. Over the years, multiple complaints have surfaced alleging arbitrary tuition hikes, unregulated “development fees,” and indirect capitation charges from students. Despite National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines mandating transparency and justification of fees, the university reportedly failed to disclose the composition or functioning of its fee regulatory committee. These issues have led to legal notices and RTI applications from concerned parents and student bodies.

Also Read: MOFSL Case Exclusive: Harassment Allegations Shake Motilal Oswal.

RTI Non-Compliance Pattern

The university’s reluctance to share information under the RTI Act is not a recent development. Since at least 2022, activists and education watchdogs have alleged that D Y Patil Vidyapeeth systematically blocks access to institutional records. In several cases, replies have been delayed, redirected, or outright denied—often citing legal technicalities that contradict judicial precedents. This persistent non-compliance has fueled suspicion that the university may be concealing financial and administrative misconduct related to grants, admissions, and staff appointments.

Unresolved Faculty and Infrastructure Complaints

In addition to financial opacity, D Y Patil Vidyapeeth has faced criticism from internal stakeholders, including students and faculty, regarding academic governance and infrastructure lapses. Former faculty members have alleged unfair dismissals, lack of tenure protection, and irregular promotions. Simultaneously, students have raised concerns about inadequate hostel facilities, delayed exam results, and inconsistent academic calendars. Despite the university’s high NAAC grade, critics argue that quality assurance mechanisms are not functioning effectively on the ground.