New Delhi: The education ministry’s internal audit uncovered financial irregularities worth Rs 5 crore at the Union government-run Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR) in New Delhi, an Indian Express investigation found.

The audit also called more than ten officials of the institution for disciplinary action, including former member-secretary and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Umesh Ashok Kadam.

The Union ministry is said to have written to the ICHR, which funds historical research in India, on March 5, 2025. The letter referred to a Lokpal complaint and the internal audit alleging financial irregularities in several council decisions during Kadam’s tenure.

The audit, conducted between April 2021 and March 2023, described “a reckless spending spree neglecting rules and regulations” after Kadam took charge in August 2022.

Incidentally, Kadam resigned in May 2023 before completing his term and went back to JNU.

He denied any wrongdoing and told the Indian Express that he had “given all … [his] responses” to the ICHR. “I have given all my responses to ICHR. But everything is on paper and on file. All decisions were passed by the council. I was just the member-secretary and there are other directors in the body [ICHR] too,” he said.

“The education ministry, it is learnt, asked ICHR to submit a first stage advice … to the vigilance division of the ministry. This effectively means ICHR was asked to review the audit findings and share its views,” the daily reported.

The audit found that “unauthorised repairs and renovations” worth Rs 2.55 crore were conducted in the ICHR’s building, which is owned by JNU, without the approval of the governing body, the ICHR chairman or JNU.

It said that the repairs were commissioned to a contractor without any bidding process, violating the institution’s financial rules.

The audit also charged Kadam and other officials of purchasing 1,000 copies of a book that the ICHR itself published at the rate of Rs 2,500 per copy. The book titled India, the Mother of Democracy was launched by the education minister in November 2022, a copy of which was also presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The audit found that the book was “priced irrationally” at Rs 5,000 per copy, of which 900 copies still remain unsold. Moreover, the audit report said, “The printing/binding are sub-standard. The volume could not have cost more than Rs 700 to Rs 800 per copy.”

Additionally, the ICHR was also accused of mounting an exhibition called “Glory of Medieval India” at an inflated price of Rs 40.86 lakh without the required approvals or tendering. The audit said that similar exhibitions were held at the ICHR previously at a much lower price.

“The audit also flagged multiple technology-related procurements, including purchase of 15 laptops at Rs 81,300 each, despite adequate existing inventory. Of these, 13 laptops were issued to non-entitled officers below the rank of deputy secretary. Procurement of six video conferencing systems amounting to Rs 37.05 lakh was also flagged for not following due procedure or providing justification, and involving 100% advance payment to the supplier in violation of GFR (general financial rules),” the Indian Express said.

The office of the member-secretary of ICHR told the daily that the council had flagged these concerns in many of their general council meetings and “took a serious view of the matter and desired that immediate necessary follow-up action be initiated”.

It said that it formed a special committee to probe the alleged irregularities found by the ministry’s audit, and that it agreed with the violations pointed out by it.

“..In these meetings [special council meetings held in 2024], the council took serious note of the recommendations of the IAW [internal audit wing] report and special committee report and resolved that the then-member-secretary [Kadam] is responsible for the violation of financial norms. However, since he is no longer an employee of ICHR, therefore, the Ministry of Education is requested to take appropriate action,” it said.

“Moreover, the matter is under consideration of CVC [Central Vigilance Commission] and Lokpal. First stage advisory has been prepared for erring officials. Whatever directions and actions will be recommended by the CVC and Lokpal will be strictly complied with,” it added.

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