Chennai: Former vice-chancellor of Dr MGR Medical University will face trial as the special court for the cases under the Prevention Of Corruption Act, Chennai, has dismissed his discharge petition praying the court to relieve him from the corruption case registered against him by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).
The DVAC personnel alleged that the vice-chancellor, a recipient of coveted Dr BC Roy Award, cancelled his business class tickets for his international travel and booked tickets in economy class, and pocketed the difference amount.
In the discharge petition Dr Meer Mustafa Hussain, 66, submitted that he was a doctor by profession and served as a vice chancellor of Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University from November 27, 2006 to Noverber 26, 2009. He was appointed by Governor as a Vice-Chancellor.
Hussain said he discharged his duties honestly and diligently. He delivered many lectures to the medical students and written many books in paediatrics. He was also a recipient of Dr BC Roy Award under the category of 'Eminent Medical Teacher', which was awarded by President of India in 2008.
He was entitled to fly in business class on flights. He was invited to attend the conference in Prague, Norway, from August 30 to September 3, 2008. Again he was invited to attend another conference in London from November 12, 2007 to November 16, 2007, and in Melbourne, Australia on March 3, 2008.
The DVAC without conducting proper inquiry registered a false case against him relating to his foreign trips to three countries and his claims for TA bills. The FIR was registered 4 years after his retirement. The TA bills were prepared by the then personal assistant and they were genuine documents. He was legally entitled to travel by executive class. Hence, he did not cause wrongful loss to the University.
The Special Public Prosecutor for DVAC submitted that as per the order of Union health and family welfare department on January 27, 2012, a detailed inquiry was conducted by the DVAC against him regarding six allegations.
He said public servant given an opportunity to claim TA and other allowances as per the rules. But it does not mean that the public servant may claim whatever he was eligible without actually utilising it. The VC, booked tickets in business class, later cancelled them and travelled in economy class and received the difference amount from an agent and misappropriated the amount. Hence, he cheated the government and overwhelming materials available on records for framing of charge exists.
Dismissing the discharge petition, special judge S. Kanchana, said the contentions raised by VC cannot be decided at this stage. The statement of witnesses and documents produced by the prosecution establishes the prima facie case against the VC to proceed further. Hence the contention raised by the petitioner does not merit acceptance.
