KU scam: Verdict on Walikar's petition expected next week

The High Court Bench (HCB) Dharwad which completed the hearing of arguments on the writ petition filed by suspended vice-chancellor of Karnatak University H B Walikar, is expected to deliver its verdict either on Monday or Tuesday.

Justice H Billappa heading the single-judge bench on Thursday said, he would dictate the order early next week.

Meanwhile, the judge dismissed an application filed by former member of the Karnatak University syndicate to implead him as a defendant in the writ petition filed by Walikar. Jayant had filed the application stating that Walikar had referred his name in writ petition.

The counsel for Walikar informed the court that he would delete the paragraphs in the writ petition which have reference to K S Jayant. Agreeing to this submission, the court dismissed Jayant’s application.

Walikar filed the writ petition seeking quashing of the Lokayukta probe against him. He also sought quashing of the chancellor’s direction to the registrar (administration) of Karnatak University to file a complaint with the Lokayukta police against those named in the Justice B Padmarajan Commission as prima facie accused. Senior counsel Jayakumar Patil represented Walikar while advocate Vijayshankar represented the governor’s office. Vijayshankar in his argument told the court that the Lokayukta and the one-man commission headed by Justice B?Padmaraj had started the probe and hence there was no provision under the law to question this probe.

He said questioning the powers of the chancellor and claiming that the vice-chancellor is not an employee of the varsity was unfair. Under section 8(1) of the Karnataka State Universities Act-2000 the definition of ‘university employee is vast’. However, the petitioner has claimed that only ‘C’ and ‘D’ group staff are considered employees of the varsity.

The act has empowered the chancellor of the varsity to protect the financial resources and discipline in the varsity. Scores of allegations were made against the former vice-chancellor and hence the one-man inquiry commission was formed to look into the allegations.

Based on the recommendations of the inquiry commission, the chancellor had directed the KU?registrar to file complaint with Lokayukta, Vijayshankar contended.

He further stated that governor who is also the chancellor of the state varsities, had exercised his judicial powers and the act has empowered the governor to take some measures to protect the sanctity and dignity of the university. In a bid to bring out the truth over the allegations, the governor has given a nod for legal procedure, he added.