Kerala University marklist seized from accused

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala University marklists are easily available to even smugglers. Unfilled marklists of the university were seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence recently from the residence of Vishnu Somasundaram, the key accused in a gold smuggling case and an associate of the late musician Balabhaskar.

The university has ordered an inquiry into the incident after the DRI submitted a report to the higher authorities claiming that they had confiscated seven unfilled marklists with signatures and seal from the residence of Vishnu during the raids conducted on June 14. Vishnu, on bail in the gold smuggling case, is absconding. Sources said that the DRI will soon submit a letter to Higher Education Principal Secretary Usha Titus to launch a probe. At present, the marklists are in the possession of the DRI.

Vishnu and Prakash Thampi, another associate of Balabhaskar, had smuggled in 720 kilograms of gold through the Thiruv-ananthapuram airport.

The DRI had nabbed beautician Sareena and KSRTC conductor Sunil on May 13 while they were trying to smuggle in 25 kg of gold through the airport.

Others, including Vishnu and Prakash Thampi, were arrested later and Vishnu absconded when they were released on bail. As Customs Superintendent Radhakrishnan was among the accused, the DRI handed over the probe to the CBI.

Kerala University Vice-Chancellor V.P. Mahadevan Pillai, who ordered a probe into the incident, asked the DRI to provide him the details of the confiscated marklists. The university was issuing digital marklists for various examinations for the past many years, said Mr Pillai.