Following the resolution of the 63rd Meeting of the Board of Governors of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Jamshedpur, a two-Member Inquiry Committee was constituted to investigate matters related to Col. (Dr.) N.K. Rai, Registrar of NIT Jamshedpur. The committee members visited NIT Jamshedpur today to probe into these issues.

The inquiry stems from concerns regarding the appointment of Dr. Nishith Kumar Rai as the Registrar of NIT Jamshedpur in 2020, which reportedly violated Government of India appointment rules and provisions outlined in the NIT Act and Statutes. Allegations suggest that Dr. Rai's appointment involved fraudulent means, misuse of government funds, fraud, embezzlement, and extensive financial irregularities in construction work.

According to the NIT Act and Statutes, the Registrar position must be filled based on a selection process and due appointment procedures. Dr. Nishith Kumar Rai applied for the Registrar position at NIT Jamshedpur while holding the same position at Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Darbhanga (Bihar). However, it has come to light that Dr. Rai had been dismissed from his position at Lalit Narayan Mithila University on 24th September 2020, under orders from the then Governor and Chancellor of Bihar, as per official order Memo No. BSU(Registrar) 2712017(Part: I)- 2172lcs(1) dated 24.09.2020 (Annexure: I).

NIT Jamshedpur requested vigilance clearance for Dr. Rai on 15th September 2020 (Annexure: II), but he was appointed Registrar on 21st October 2020 without obtaining the necessary clearance. It is alleged that Dr. Rai concealed his termination and secured the appointment through illegitimate means, bypassing required procedures both before and after his appointment. A copy of the office order No. NITJSR/ESS/CD/2020-21/510 dated 21.10.2020 (Annexure: III) reveals the involvement of senior officials in concealing his dismissal.

Post-appointment, Dr. Rai allegedly transferred Establishment Section employees and attached outdated vigilance clearance documents to his appointment file, further indicating procedural bypassing.

The Honorable Patna High Court, in case number CWJ 178/2021, upheld Dr. Rai's dismissal from Lalit Narayan Mithila University, validating the termination and rejecting Dr. Rai's appeal.