Opposing Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Shanker Pandey’s inquiry report, sportspersons claimed that Singh was being implicated on false charges.

“It was quite distressing when we came to know that the inquiry commission has recommended punitive action against our V-C,” said J S Bhatiya, an international athletics coach associated with the Sports Authority of India.

Terming Singh as a role model for all, Dheerendra Singh, a coach with Football Association of Lucknow, said: “It is appalling that a person of scholarly merit, who risked his life to maintain high moral standards in the university is charged with corruption. Prof Singh weeded out the anti-social student leaders from the varsity.” Expressing solidarity with Singh, sports fraternity members said they will soon meet Governor T V Rajeswar. “Some teachers, student leaders and bureaucrats have connived defame the V-C for their vested interests. An impartial inquiry by the governor will establish the truth,” said LU football coach Neeraj Jain.