Dr Deshmukh, who is the husband of Vice-Chancellor Dr Snehalata Deshmukh, told Express Newsline that he has resigned to protest against The Indian Express group of publications for publishing ``twisted'' reports about the MBBS marks scandal. Dr Deshmukh, who insists the Express group has been carrying a vilification campaign, is also believed to have said he will be a free citizen after resigning from his post.

The dean's resignation, however, has not yet been accepted by the Vice-Chancellor. When contacted, the Vice-Chancellor said, ``I have not accepted the resignation yet, and I have forwarded it to the Pro Vice-Chancellor.'' Vice-Chancellor Deshmukh also stated she received the dean's resignation letter on Thursday evening.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University Dr Naresh Chandra, on the other hand, stated that he had suggestedthe dean be called for discussions. ``I will request the dean to withdraw his resignation,'' Dr Chandra said, adding that the resignation as of now remained unaccepted.