Chennai/Coimbatore: Following the arrest of Bharathiar University Vice-Chancellor A. Ganapathy, caught red-handed while accepting bribe on Saturday, the state government plans to launch a detailed probe into all recruitments made in the tenures of two previous vice-chancellors of the university.
Reacting to the arrest of Ganapathy, some educationists alleged that the previous two vice-chancellors of Bharathiar University, C. Swaminathan and G. James Pitchai were more corrupt than Mr Ganapathy.
“We are looking into all appointments made by past three vice-chancellors of Bharathiar University. The two previous vice-chancellors Swaminathan and James Pitchai are already under the scanner of DVAC,” a government source said.
“A prima facie case is made out against Swaminathan and Ganapathy. DVAC is conducting a detailed enquiry against them,” he said.
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption has registered a case against Swaminathan on complaints that he overlooked many eligible candidates for appointment and irregularities in managing funds for distance education.
“Swaminathan was the least qualified among the VC candidates when he was appointed as the VC of Bharathiar University. He was appointed mainly because of political influence,” said N. Pasupathy, vice-president, Association of University Teachers.
“From buying furniture to awarding distance education centres, there was huge corruption took place during his tenure. There were also allegations that certificates were fabricated to recruit unqualified candidates,” he added.
Mr Swaminathan completed his three-year term as the vice-chancellor of Bharathiar University in August 2012.
When the professors learnt that their name was also considered for the post of vice-chancellor of Periyar University they sent hundreds of telegrams to both the Governor’s office and higher education department.“They ignored our telegrams and he got the second chance as vice-chancellor of Periyar University where he continued irregularities in appointments and corruption,” Mr.Pasupathy alleged.
Swaminathan’s successor James Pitchai is also facing serious allegations as DVAC found Rs 11.25 crore worth disproportionate assets from him. It has registered a case against James Pitchai. An audit report of the university also has accused him of misappropriation of funds to the tune of' 5 crore.
84 candidates okayed by Ganapathy in spot
Sleuths of the DVAC also suspect the Bharathiyar University (BU) vice-chancellor (VC), Prof Ganapathy had allegedly made 62 appointments on receiving huge cash and they plan to enquire the 62 candidates out of 84 in the first phase.
Members of the BU teaching staffs association also urged to look into the entire appointments, apart from teaching recruitment made by the VC, including promotions of assistant professors, transfers, and appointing syndicate members. They have also demanded an enquiry commission to probe the case led by a High Court judge and to cancel the appointments made by the VC Prof. Ganapathy until the entire investigations got over.
Apart from the VC the DVAC sleuths have also lodged complaint against three including Ms Swarnalatha, the wife of the VC, under IPC section 201, who allegedly attempted to destroy evidence during the DVAC raid at their home by allegedly dumping 28 chemically- treated currency notes in a toilet and allegedly hiding 22 in her inner garments.
The BU distance education director Mathivanan and Professor Dharmaraj, department of Chemistry were included for aiding the VC, sources said.
Prof Ganapathy and Prof Dharamaraj were grilled for ten hours, and then lodged in the Coimbatore Central prison. The DVAC sleuths are involved in preparing a detailed list of candidates who were recruited by the VC Ganapathy within the last two years including the SC and ST quota appointments made by him.
