PATNA, Oct. 22 -- Uncertainty looms over Patna Un iversity Teachers' Association (PUTA) election, as a section of the outgoing office-bearers has allegedly locked its office as soon as the process for the new election was initiated with the formation of the central election committee on October 15. The election of PUTA, which was last held in 2023 for a two-year period, is already delayed and it was functioning without its elected president since the retirement of Dr Abhay Kumar on January 31 this year. The age of superannuation of teachers is fixed at 62, while the term of a VC is till one reaches the age of 70, as per the statute and various court rulings. PUTA acting president Dr Sheo Sagar Prasad had been officiating as president till he called a "requisitioned meeting" of the teachers' body at the request of over 300 teachers. "The meeting unanimously resolved to dissolve PUTA with immediate effect and go in for fresh election on September 24, but it could not be held as the revised electoral roll was not ready and a fresh poll date was fixed on November 4," said Prasad. Prasad said Prof NK Jha was authorised at the meeting as the chief electoral office (CEO) to conduct fresh elections after updating electoral list and the same was communicated on August 10 to the VC and all concerned constituent colleges. The CEO was empowered to sanction and manage all requisite budgetary expenses incurred in connection with fresh PUTA polls. Later the keys of PUTA office was also handed to the nominated CEO and subsequently a 29-member core central election committee was constituted, which also held regular meetings at the office to decide on the fresh date. A communication was also made by the outgoing acting president of PUTA to the PU VC on August 10, 2026, clearly mentioning that the teachers' body had been dissolved with immediate effect through a unanimous decision and the keys of the office have been handed over to the CEO. However, in a sudden turn of events, the office of PUTA was allegedly found locked on October 15, 2026 and the matter was brought to the notice of PU Proctor, who along with Dean (Students' Welfare) was present at a series of meetings for fresh elections, said Jha in his letter to the PU administration, adding that the date of filing nomination has also been fixed on October 22, 24 and 26. "Now, when all preparations have been done and it has been notified to conduct the election on November 4, 2026 with the schedule also published, Dr Vibhash Ranjan, general secretary of dissolved PUTA, demanded the key of PUTA office from me on October 13. When I refused as the process of election has already started and election committee meets regularly there, the gate of PUTA office was found locked with new locks on October 14 without any information to me. I have also written to the registrar to depute some 4th grade staff at the PUTA office. I am hopeful there will some action in this regard," wrote Jha....