The Hindu : New Delhi News : `Fake' research sends shock wave across DU

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Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

`Fake' research sends shock wave across DU

By Lakshmi B. Ghosh

NEW DELHI, APRIL 5. In what is being seen as one of the worst cases of "faked-up" research, Delhi University has set up an enquiry against a Physics Reader who claimed credit to articles and research papers written by others in his promotion application for the post of Professor.

In a rude revelation that has left the largest Physics Department in the country red-faced, the matter was brought up at the Executive Council meeting this past week, with the fact-finding committee set up to look into the matter submitting its report. The EC has decided to issue a show cause notice to the Reader asking for an explanation. A decision on the matter is likely to be taken at the EC's next meeting.

According to University officials, Yogesh Mathur -- a Reader with the Physics Department for nearly ten years -- had applied for the post of professor this year under the Merit Promotion Scheme (MPS). With a change in selection procedure now requiring all applicants to submit five of their best publications, Mr. Mathur too had cited research papers and articles. Only, as the subject expert committee set up to assess the reports discovered, a majority of the articles and papers given by him in the reference column did not exist.

With University officials refraining from divulging details, the Physics Department seems to be in a daze. "We have heard of forgery and seen people plagiarise research paper, but this is claiming a paper that is not yours at all," said a University official.

The Delhi University Vice-Chancellor, Deepak Nayyar, is said to have taken the matter rather seriously, asking for an enquiry and `action' instead of ending the matter quietly. And while a very "serious" matter is how most senior University officials described the happening, complete details are not easy to come by.

A Ph.D. from Moscow University, Mathur had joined Delhi University as a lecturer in 1985. A decade later, he was appointed a Reader. While his colleagues at the Physics Department expressed shock and anger, there was also a sense of worry for Mr. Mathur, who lost his wife a year ago and was reportedly going through a tough time.

"We are shattered by his action. Our Department is a prestigious one and this will obviously hurt our image. After this, all of us may be looked upon with suspicion. This is shocking," said a member of the Department.

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