NITK Faculty Members Booked Over Alleged Rs 13.51 Lakh Expense Claims
The case was registered after NITK conducted a preliminary enquiry into suspected irregularities in the expense claims submitted by the two faculty members
Mangaluru: Surathkal police have registered a case against two faculty members of the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, for allegedly submitting fake NCC duty documents to claim reimbursement for travel, accommodation and other expenses. The alleged fraudulent claims resulted in a loss of Rs 13.51 lakh to the institute, according to the FIR.
The accused have been identified as Dr P Sam Johnson and Dr H Sivananda Nayaka, both Associate NCC Officers of the 2 Kar Engr Coy NCC (Army Wing) unit at NITK. The case was registered after NITK conducted a preliminary enquiry into suspected irregularities in the expense claims submitted by the two faculty members.
According to the FIR, the accused allegedly submitted fabricated Detailment Orders, Attendance Certificates and other documents to show that they had attended various NCC camps and duties between April 2023 and May 2026. Based on these documents, they allegedly claimed and received reimbursement towards TA/DA, accommodation and travel expenses.
The preliminary enquiry reportedly found discrepancies in some of the claims. When railway and air tickets and hotel bookings submitted in support of the claims were examined, some of the travel and accommodation bookings were found to have been cancelled, even though reimbursement had allegedly been claimed and received.
The FIR cites several NCC camps and duties in connection with the alleged irregularities. In one instance, the accused allegedly claimed Rs 1,18,593 each towards TA/DA and accommodation for a Pre-Thal Sainik Camp-II shown to have been held in Bengaluru from June 28 to July 7, 2025.
The complaint further alleges that the accused acted in concert and used false documents to draw funds earmarked for NCC activities under the institute’s Board of Governors’ head.
According to the FIR, Dr P Sam Johnson allegedly received Rs 12.32 lakh, while Dr H Sivananda Nayaka allegedly received Rs 1.18 lakh through the disputed claims, taking the total amount to Rs 13.51 lakh.
The case has been registered under Sections 316(2), 336(3), 316(5), 318(4) and 340 read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The FIR was registered by Surathkal police on the basis of a complaint lodged by NITK Director B. Ravi following the preliminary enquiry. The police have taken up further investigation into the allegations and the documents and claims submitted by the accused.
City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said that a case of breach of trust by public servants has been booked against the two faculty members of NIT Surathkal on complaint of NIT officials.
"They were taken to custody and will be produced before a magistrate," he said.
He added that NITK found out about the misappropriation during its internal enquiry and filed a complaint to take criminal action against the two as per law.