However, the management is reportedly mulling to take steps against five professors who have failed to reply to the show cause notices.

“Out of 85 professors, 18 professors have apologised and their cases have been condoned; 62 professors have responded to the show-cause notices on December 6, 2024. The competent authority has informed them that no ‘further action’ is being taken against them,” said a source.

“Based on your reply, the competent authority hereupon considers the same without any further action whatsoever, while reserving the legal rights in the matter. You are hereby advised to refrain from any activity which is violative of the Statute and/or Service Rules of the Institute or such other similar acts as may be construed as violative of the above in (the) future,” read the fresh letters (a copy of which is with The Indian Express) to 62 professors who replied to showcase notices.

The controversy started after the IIT Kharagpur Teachers Association sent a letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in September alleging nepotism and irregularities at IIT Kharagpur.

This prompted show cause letters from the authorities to four officer bearers of IIT Kharagpur Teachers Association.

The issue snowballed after 85 faculty members (including office bearers of the IIT Kharagpur Teachers Association) held an Extraordinary General Body Meeting on November 28 and threatened to go on hunger strike if the show-cause notice was not taken back.

Soon after, all 85 faculty members were show-caused by the Institute.

Three heads of department were also removed from their posts since the controversy broke out.

The faculty members organised silent protest marches over the issue inside the campus on Thursday and Friday.