Indian American (Former) Chemistry Professor Rajiv Narula Arrested for Allegedly Bribing Students for Higher Grades
- The “cash-to-pass scheme” is said to have taken place during the 2021 fall and summer semesters and again during the 2022 spring semester.
An Indian American former professor at SUNY Canton in Upstate New York was arrested earlier this week and charged with bribery after allegedly taking money from students in exchange for higher grades, New York State Police announced.
Rajiv R. Narula, 45, was taken into custody on April 8 by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Canton, on April 8. He faces eight counts of bribery in the third degree, a Class D felony. He was arraigned by Canton Town Justice Michael Morgan and released without bail pending a return court appearance on April 28, according to a New York State Police press release.
The alleged “cash-to-pass scheme” took place during the 2021 fall and summer semesters and again during the 2022 spring semester, according to WWNY-TV News.
A spokesperson for the state-run university told the New York Post that Narula taught chemistry as an associate professor in the School of Science, Health and Criminal Justice for over a decade. He was fired in 2023 after the bribery allegations surfaced.
In 2022, SUNY Canton recognized him with a College Council Distinguished Faculty award. “The Distinguished Faculty Award is presented annually to a SUNY Canton educator who has demonstrated mastery of subject matter, effectiveness in teaching, scholarly ability, effectiveness in university service, and continuing growth,” according to College Council Chair Ronald M. O’Neill.
In addition to teaching chemistry, Narula taught environmental science and a first-year experience class, North Country Now reporter at the time. He was also involved with the college’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and instructed first-generation and financially disadvantaged students during a summer college preparatory program.
According to his Facebook profile, Narula is currently a development facilitator at Local Living Venture.
Originally from Kolkata, Narula earned his Doctor of Environmental Science and Engineering degree from Clarkson University in 2011, according to his LinkedIn profile. That same year, he began his career as a professional tutor at SUNY Canton. He quickly became a chemistry instructor and was then promoted to assistant professor. In 2021, he received another promotion to his current title. He earned a second degree in education from St. Lawrence University. He is also said to be enrolled in Clarkson’s MBA program, according to North Country Now.
Narula served on the North Country Children’s Museum’s board of directors from 2018 to 2020. As an avid environmentalist, he has been the faculty member most closely involved with the college’s pollinator garden and Kenneth Theobald Botanical Nursery, which helps nurture saplings to be planted on campus. He’s also actively involved with college composting initiatives and was a faculty advisor for the student-run Environmental Change Organization. According to his Facebook profile, he resides in Canton with his wife, Geetika Budhiraja Narula. The couple has a son.