FIR registered against Karnatak varsity V-C, 10 others

The Lok Ayukta police have registered an FIR against Karnatak University vice-chancellor H B Walikar and 10 others under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code on Tuesday.

The action comes in the wake of Karnatak University registrar (administration) Chandrama Kanagali filing the complaint against at the Lok Ayukta office in Dharwad on Thursday last. Dharwad Lok Ayukta Superintendent of Police Parashuram told Business Standard, he had registered the case based on the complaint filed by the registrar.

“The investigation into the complaint will be done by a deputy superintendent of police attached to the Lok Ayukta from the next working day,” SP Parashuram said. Sources said, apart from Walikar, the names of some syndicate members also figure.

Chandrama had filed the complaint on the directions of the governor who is also the chancellor of all the universities in the state.

Governor Vajubhai Vala based on the report submitted by the one-man inquiry commission headed by Justice B Padmaraj had directed the registrar to file a complaint against the vice-chancellor.

The governor has appointed the one-man commission to probe the charges of irregularities, abuse of office and violation of norms among others during V-C Walikar’s regime. The Save University Action Committee led by former syndicate member K S Jayant, advocate Arun Joshi and former BJP corporator Iresh Anchatageri had complained to the governor about the alleged scandals in the varsity.

A BJP delegation consisting of state BJP president and MP Prahlad Joshi, Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar and Hubli-Dharwad West MLA Arvind Bellad had also met the governor and urged him to probe into charges.

Justice Padmaraj had visited the university in September and examined the files pertaining to the charges and submitted his report to the governor in which he said, prima facie there was truth in the charges.

V-C reacts

Dharwad: Karnatak University vice-chancellor H B Walikar said, he would cooperate with any agency, including the Lok Ayukta which probes the charges against him. “Though the chancellor has no powers to order an inquiry against the vice-chancellor as per the Karnataka State Universities Act 2000, I will not oppose his decision to conduct the probe. If I oppose the chancellor’s decision, it would send a wrong message that I am avoiding inquiry take shelter under the KSU Act 2000. Let there be inquiry and let the truth come out,” he said. He also added that he would cooperate with the Lok Ayukta officials in their probe.