AU Council Suspends Ex-VC Prasad Reddy

The newly appointed executive council of Andhra University issued suspension orders to former vice chancellor Prof PVGD Prasad Reddy on Friday based on the findings of the vigilance inquiry and the investigation committees.

Currently working as professor in the computer science department of Andhra University Engineering College, Prof Reddy retired in the evening.

The former VC was embroiled in controversies after he came out openly in support of the YSRC party and was often seen in the presence of former chief minister YS Jagn Mohan Reddy.

Soon after the 3-party alliance came to power, parliamentarian CM Ramesh, MLAs Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu and Vamsi Krishna Srinivas jointly sought an investigation against Prasad Reddy. They accused him of politicising the institution, besides indulging in large scale corruption.

They alleged that funds of `100 crore were misused during his tenure and unqualified individuals were given jobs in the university. Several YSRC activists received PG degrees through the revaluation system. YSRC flags and other party material and cash were distributed from the university during the elections, they alleged.

The alliance leaders then urged the governor to conduct an investigation into the allegations against the former VC.

Education minister Nara Lokesh said the former vice chancellor misused `20 crore in Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) grants and `25 lakh from ISRO, along with regulatory violations.