VADODARA: Vadodara's M S University law faculty head Ghanshyam Solanki was arrested on Monday for allegedly smearing itching powder on vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh 's chair during a national seminar a day earlier. Singh had to leave the seminar midway.

"Forensic tests on the chair revealed that somebody had smeared it with itching powder. Further investigations revealed the teacher's involvement," police commissioner Satish Sharma said.

Solanki was booked for obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions and causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means. He confessed to using the powder but claimed that it was not meant for Singh. His real target was the law faculty in-charge dean professor S S Bhattacharya.

MSU officials said Solanki may have done so as his application for promotion was rejected recently.

"It is shameful and unbelievable. I had never expected this to happen. Normally, we do not except a teacher to get involved in such acts," Singh told TOI.

"We have taken it very seriously and any such incident by any staff or student will not be tolerated in future," officer on special duty (registrar) Dr Amit Dholakia said.