The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, accepted the resignation of whistle-blower professor Rajeev Kumar – who was suspended on ‘disciplinary grounds’ in May 2011 for exposing an alleged laptop scam in the institute and for his efforts to reform the IIT Joint Entrance Examination.

Kumar had filed a PIL in the Supreme Court seeking transparency in the IIT JEE, which eventually played a crucial role in IITs introducing several changes, including permitting examinees to take back a carbon copy of their answer scripts. He was hailed as an “unsung hero” by the apex court.

The IIT-Kharagpur administration had suspended him in May 2011 after accusing him of “damaging the reputation of the institute” by levelling allegations on issues ranging from irregularities in the purchase of laptops to rampant copying by students during examinations.

“There were allegations against him for damaging the reputation of IIT, Kharagpur – which is one of the premier institutes in India. His charges against the institute are false. His allegation that there were irregularities while purchasing laptops and copying by students during examinations is false and highly objectionable,” a senior IIT-Kharagpur official told News18.

Last month, before demitting office, President Pranab Mukherjee had quashed the compulsory retirement imposed on Kumar in 2014. He was on leave from IIT and had joined JNU. Kumar had asked to be relieved to join JNU permanently but was denied as the case was still being heard in court, meanwhile JNU relieved of the position. Kumar is learnt to have asked JNU to reinstate him as his resignation has been accepted by IIT.