Governor P Sathasivam nod to prosecute Calicut University Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor

KOZHIKODE: In a major blow to the top brass of Calicut University, Governor P Sathasivam who is also the Chancellor of the varsity, sanctioned the Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau Director’s request seeking permission to prosecute Vice Chancellor Dr M Abdul Salam and Pro Vice Chancellor Raveendra Nath in the investigation into the conduct of the re-examination for the practicals for failed BTech students.

The Raj Bhavan sent a communiqué in this regard to the Vigilance Director and also to the Registrar of the varsity.

It is after the complaint filed by the retired deputy registrar of the University Stalin V before the Court of the Inquiry Commission and Special Judge on February 2013, alleging the re-examination conducted for 24 BTech students of Nehru Engineering College, Pambadi on September 7, 2012 who failed was against the rules of the varsity.

The complainant alleged that the VC and PVC violated the provision with the intention of helping Sangeetha, daughter of PVC’s PA Ramakrishnan N.S.

On March 8, 2013, the Court ordered an inquiry and the Vigilance prepared a quick verification report which revealed procedural irregularities, nepotism and involvement of the VC and PVC in the conduct of the exam.

The report was submitted to the Additional Chief Secretary (Vigilance) and to the Court on December, 2013.

Meanwhile, the VC and PVC approached the High Court challenging the order of the Vigilance court ordering an inquiry.

However in February, the High Court disposed off the writ petition and asked the Court of the Inquiry Commission and Special Judge to consider the report.

On April 6, 2015 the Court rejected the report holding that there was prima facie evidence of the commission of offences by the VC, the PVC and others which are punishable under 480 IPC and directed that cases be registered against them.

As per the FIR, the VC, PVC and the PA to PVC abused their official position and hatched a criminal conspiracy by conducting the re-exam.