India, March 28 -- The budget session of the senate at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on Friday witnessed high drama as members stalled proceedings and refused to allow the budget to be presented, demanding a forensic audit and immediate action against alleged financial irregularities. The protest culminated in vice-chancellor (VC) Suresh Gosavi announcing that the head of the department of technology, Aditya Abhyankar, will be sent on compulsory leave from March 27 and that a forensic audit of the functioning of the university will be conducted within a month's time.

As the Friday session of the senate began, members prevented the VC from presenting the budget, insisting on 'concrete answers and action' against long-standing al...