HC notice on plea seeking CBI probe into MKU tender

The Madras High Court today ordered notice to CBI and Tamil Nadu government on a petition seeking an investigation by the central agency into an alleged scam in finalisation of tender for an e-content programme of Madurai Kamaraj University's Distance Education department.
Justices A.Selvam and V S Ravi of the Madurai Bench ordered notice to the CBI Joint Director, its Anti-Corruption Bureau Superintendent and state Principal Secretary of Higher Education.
Petitioner S.Vanchinathan, Member of "Save Madurai Kamaraj University Coalition", alleged that former Vice-Chancellor Kalyani Mathivanan, Syndicate Members M Rajarajan, R Kannan, K Pitchumani, P Periyakaruppan, Registrar Rajasekharan and the Finance Officer were responsible for the scam while deciding and issuing notification finalising the tender.

He submitted that the approval for the e-content programme development had not been obtained from the Academic Council.
The audit report for 2013-14 mentioned that instead of giving tender to a person who quoted Rs 37.55 lakh, the e-content development programme was given to SET Infotech who quoted Rs.Six crore.
Similarly, another contract was given to the same company for Rs.7.80 crore while Janya IT Company quoted Rs. 6.30 crore for development of content.
Syndicate member Murali Pakshirajan had made a complaint about the same. Besides, the petitioner also had sent a representation to CBI on April 21 last but there was no response.

Hence, he prayed the court to direct CBI to appoint a team to conduct a fair inquiry and take legal action against those responsible for the 'corrupt practices', based on his representation.