The arrest of the two professors of civil engineering department in IIT Roorkee has created quite a buzz. The reports so far have mentioned the collapse of the bridge and how two of the professors, Vipul Kumar and Vijay Kumar Gupta, have been arrested.
When PaGaLGuY contacted IIT- Roorkee, here is what they had to say: “Firstly, we as an institute don’t blame the professors or hold them guilty for the mishap. This is at least until the facts are proven. Secondly, they were involved only in the designing of the bridge. To check if there was any fault in the design itself, we have set up a committee and the investigations will be done by the end of the week. It is only after that will we comment or decide on the course of action,” said the Deputy Director of IIT Roorkee, Vinod Kumar.
The arrests followed after the professors allegedly ignored the summons issued by the judicial magistrate in Tehri district’s Narendranagar area. The institute is also verifying this matter as well. “We are not so sure they have ignored the summons. Even this will be looked into.” added Professor Kumar.
The students, who are also full of praise for these professors, find it hard to acknowledge the fault of their professors, if any. “They are both excellent professors. It is quite unbelievable that they will be at fault even in designing the bridge.” says one student in the 4th year of civil engineering.
The professors were arrested on Sunday, and have been remanded in custody until 17, September,2015.