Karnataka varsity scam: Lokayukta police step up investigation

Seven persons named in the Lokayukta police FIR in the alleged Karnatak University scam case are yet to appear before the Lokayukta police in response to the notice issued to them.

Of the seven accused, six have applied for anticipatory bail and are awaiting the court’s decision on their application which is scheduled to be given on October 28. Legal coordinator Malagi is reportedly abroad.

The Lokayukta police who arrested the then vice-chancellor H B Walikar and varsity officials H T Pote, S Rajashri and S L Bilgi, on Monday issued notices to the other seven persons — professors S T Bagalkoti, B M Ratnakar, C Rajashekhar, former legal co-ordinator S B Malagi and Syndi- cate members Shankargouda Patil, N R Balikai and Lakshman K Beeragoudar — asking them to appear before the investigating agency for an inquiry. Malagi is reportedly abroad.

The Lokayukta police’s action had come in the wake of registrar (adminitration) Chandramma Kanagali’s criminal complaint against the 11 persons. Chandramma Kanagali had filed the complaint with Lokayukta police under the direction of the governor and chancellor.

Speaking to a section of the media, Lokayukta SP Parashuram stated that as part of the investigation, notices have been issued to the other six persons to appear before the Lokayukta for inquiry. The Lokayukta police have stepped up investigation and are collecting relevant documents pertaining to the KUD scam.

Meanwhile, H B Walikar is undergoing treatment at the Karnataka Institute of medical Sciences (KIMS) Hubli and the doctors are yet to declare him fit to be produced before the court. SP K Parashuram stated that the court on Saturday sought information relating to the update on the health of  Walikar.

Based on the advice by the doctors at the civil hospital in Dharwad on Monday last, Walikar was shifted to the KIMS hospital in Hubli after he complained of health problems.

Third additional district judge H S Ballolli while denying bail to Walikar on Thursday, and had granted conditional bail to three others arrested in connection with the KU scam case.