The Central Government has removed former Gujarat’s IITE Vice Chancellor, Professor Saroj Sharma, from her role as a chairperson of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)— the largest open schooling board in the country—following a Delhi Police investigation into the suicide of a driver at the institute who had accused her of harassment and discrimination.
Professor Sharma has been repatriated to her original department at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. She did not respond to requests for comment regarding her dismissal.
Earlier, the Gujarat government has rescinded Sharma’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Teacher Education (IITE) in Gandhinagar. Although she was appointed to the role on September 5, she had not assumed office. On October 18, the Gujarat government announced the appointment of Ramesh Chaturbhai Patel as the new Vice-Chancellor.
The tragic suicide of Ram Kumar, a driver at NIOS, occurred on the night of September 27-28, just four days after he lodged a complaint with the Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy in the Ministry of Education, as well as the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, alleging harassment. Kumar claimed he was transferred to the NIOS regional centre in Bengaluru in July, describing the move as abrupt and without justification, and accused the NIOS authorities of “vindictive” actions against him.
Following his death, Kumar’s son filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, alleging that his father’s suicide was a direct result of harassment by Professor Sharma. The police have registered an FIR under the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Although no individuals have been named as accused, an investigation is currently ongoing.
Ajay Kumar, Assistant Commissioner of Police in Narela, stated that while NIOS officials have been questioned, Professor Sharma has not yet been summoned for questioning.
In an official order issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Education confirmed: “Consequent upon the approval of the Appointment Committee of Cabinet…dated October 21, 2024, for the premature repatriation of Prof Saroj Sharma from the post of Chairperson NIOS to her parent department, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, she is hereby relieved with effect from 23.10.2024.”
Sources within the ministry reported that Professor Sharma requested on Thursday morning to remain in her position as NIOS chief following the cancellation of her appointment at IITE. However, it was made clear that her repatriation had already been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Appointments and would not be reversed.
Professor Sharma has formally relinquished her responsibilities at NIOS. She had been on leave prior to her dismissal. According to an NIOS office order, Professor Pankaj Arora, Chairperson of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), was assigned additional duties as NIOS chairperson from September 25 to October 13 during Sharma’s period of ex-India leave.
Ministry sources indicated that Professor Arora will now continue in the additional role of NIOS chairman for six months.
Previously, Professor Sharma was a professor of education at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and also served as the dean of the School of Education. She took over as chairperson of NIOS in 2020.
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