Tripura University Faces Fresh Controversy Over Alleged Defiance of Tripura High Court Order
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, June 2, 2026
Tripura University (TU), already embroiled in several legal and administrative controversies in recent years, has come under renewed scrutiny following allegations that it has failed to fully comply with a Tripura High Court directive concerning a contractual assistant professor who was removed from service after nearly 18 years of continuous employment.
The latest controversy revolves around Sri Sumanta Saha, a contractual Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Technology, whose services were discontinued by the university on April 24, 2026. Challenging the decision, Saha approached the High Court of Tripura, arguing that the termination was arbitrary, violated principles of natural justice, and was carried out without prior notice despite his long tenure.
Hearing the matter, Justice Biswajit Palit observed that the petitioner had been serving the university continuously since 2008 and questioned why the institution had extended his contractual engagement year after year if he was allegedly not eligible for the position. The Court noted that discontinuing his service after 18 years without offering him any opportunity for absorption or alternative appointment appeared prima facie arbitrary and violative of natural justice.
The Court subsequently stayed the university's discontinuation order and directed the authorities to re-engage the petitioner in the position he previously occupied until disposal of the writ petition.
Despite the High Court's interim protection, allegations have now surfaced that although the professor resumed duties, his office room remains locked and he has allegedly not received his salary for the last two months. Sources claim that repeated requests for clarification have not received any satisfactory response from the university administration.
These developments have triggered questions within academic circles regarding the extent of compliance with judicial directives and whether administrative decisions are being implemented in both letter and spirit.
The controversy has also reignited broader concerns over governance at Tripura University. Critics allege that the institution has frequently faced adverse judicial observations in recent years, with courts reportedly intervening in multiple service-related disputes involving university employees.
Several university insiders have questioned who advises the acting Vice-Chancellor and acting Registrar on legal and administrative matters. They argue that repeated litigation not only affects the institution's reputation but also places a financial burden on the university, as substantial public funds are spent on legal proceedings arising from avoidable disputes.
Adding another layer to the controversy are allegations concerning another contractual faculty member in the same academic ecosystem. It is being claimed that complaints regarding educational qualifications have been submitted to constitutional and central authorities. However, no official finding or punitive action has yet been publicly announced. As such, these allegations remain unverified and subject to due process.
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