The Madhya Pradesh government has officially closed a departmental inquiry against Dr Inamur Rahman, the former in-charge principal of Government New Law College in Indore, bringing an end to a protracted three-year legal battle. The state's Higher Education Department, in an order dated December 8, 2025, concluded that allegations of promoting religious extremism and administrative negligence could not be substantiated due to a complete lack of evidence.
A Suspension Based on Student Body's Complaint
The ordeal for Dr Rahman began on December 1, 2022, when the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) filed a formal complaint. The student organization alleged that the college atmosphere had turned towards religious fanaticism, accusing faculty members of bias and of misleading students against government policies. This complaint triggered an immediate probe by the Commissioner of Higher Education.
A preliminary inquiry report dated December 7, 2022, made strong observations against Dr Rahman, accusing him of negligence in maintaining harmony. Acting swiftly, the Higher Education Department placed him under suspension just two days later, on December 9, 2022. A formal charge-sheet followed on January 30, 2023, specifically accusing him of failing to maintain social harmony and to act against indiscipline among teaching staff.
The Long Road to a Clean Chit
After Dr Rahman's written defense was deemed unsatisfactory, the government ordered a full-scale departmental inquiry on May 11, 2023. The inquiry officer, appointed from the Regional Additional Director's office in Ujjain, submitted the final report much later, on March 25, 2025. Notably, this was nearly ten months after Dr Rahman had already retired from service in May 2024 while still under suspension.
The government's closure order explicitly states the reason for exoneration: "statements of witnesses and adequate documentary evidence were not produced during the proceedings." It further clarified, "Due to non-submission of sufficient records and witness statements, the charge levelled against the delinquent officer has not been found proved."
The order also noted that a parallel criminal case registered at Bhanwarkuan police station under IPC sections 153-A and 295-A had already been quashed by the Supreme Court on May 14, 2024, following a petition by Dr Rahman.
Vindication After Retirement and Mental Anguish
As a consequence of the exoneration, the government has directed that Dr Rahman's suspension period—from December 9, 2022, until his retirement on May 31, 2024—be treated as duty for all purposes, thereby regularising his service record.
While relieved, Dr Rahman expressed that the justice, though welcome, came too late. "By the time I got justice I was already retired. This cannot compensate for the immense mental anguish I have suffered after being suspended on baseless allegations," he said. He reiterated his lifelong commitment to teaching, stating he was "never involved in any communal thought."
Reflecting on the initial protests in December 2022, Dr Rahman revealed a personal regret. He had initially recommended a probe led by a retired judge and had removed the accused professors from academic work for five days pending investigation. He now expresses sadness over having taken action against teachers whom he believed had a "clean record."
Dr Rahman's career includes serving as principal of Government Law College in Dewas for seven years and holding the positions of Chairman and Dean in the Department of Law at both Vikram University, Ujjain, and Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in Indore for over a decade.
