Dr. Chandrashekar responds to Registrar M.K. Savitha’s clarification

Mysore/Mysuru: University of Mysore Syndicate Member Dr. T.R. Chandrashekar has responded to the clarification issued by Registrar M.K. Savitha regarding the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion inside the Manasagangothri campus.

The Registrar had earlier stated that there is no agreement between the University and any private institution.

In a media statement yesterday, Dr. Chandrashekar said the proposal to hand over the historic Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion to private individuals on a 40-year free lease through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a matter of serious public concern.

He said the issue directly involves the University’s heritage, public property and public interest. “As a Syndicate Member, it is my duty to insist on adherence to legal procedures, administrative transparency and the provisions of the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000,”    he stated.

No prior notice

Referring to Section 14 of the Act, Dr. Chandrashekar pointed out that the Registrar is the custodian of University records and is legally responsible for preparing and presenting agendas and documents for  Syndicate meetings.

However, he alleged that during the Syndicate meeting held on Mar. 13, 2026, the proposal to lease the Mansion for 40 years was introduced as a ‘table agenda’ without prior notice, a written agenda or supporting documents. He said such a move violates principles of transparency and due process.

“The meeting records clearly show that I had opposed the proposal during the discussion. At the Syndicate meeting held on Mar. 27, I was denied access to the MoU for review, even though it was announced during the meeting that copies had been provided to other members,” he said.

Administrative concerns raised

Dr. Chandrashekar said that in matters relating to University property, it is mandatory to provide all Syndicate members equal access to documents.

“As per standard procedure, any MoU must be prepared with the Registrar’s approval. If it was drafted solely under the authority of the Vice-Chancellor, that itself would raise serious administrative concerns. In such a case, the Registrar should have formally recorded her objection during the meeting,” he said.

He further stated that since no such objection from the Registrar is on record, it creates the impression that the MoU was prepared with her  administrative consent.

Dr. Chandrashekar also pointed out that, as per standard practice, the minutes of the previous Syndicate meeting must be presented and ratified at the subsequent meeting. “The failure to table the minutes of the Mar. 13, 2026, meeting during the Mar. 27 meeting raises serious administrative concerns,” he said.

‘Withheld to avoid disclosure’

He alleged that since the minutes reportedly recorded approval for granting the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion to private individuals free of cost, the failure to present those proceedings creates the impression that they were deliberately withheld to avoid public disclosure.

“The objections and concerns I have raised are not driven by personal motives. They arise from the larger public interest of protecting the University’s historic property, ensuring administrative transparency and upholding the University rules,” he said.

Dr. Chandrashekar further stated that if the Vice-Chancellor believes the proposal is necessary, all documents, procedures and details related to the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion should be placed before the Syndicate in full compliance with the University Act and regulations.

“Since your letter has already been released to the media, I request that my clarification also be made public for the record. If due process is not followed, the matter will be brought to the notice of the Chancellor, the Government and other authorities concerned,” he stated in his letter.

According to Section 14 of the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000, the Registrar is the custodian of University records, while Section 29 empowers the Syndicate to take decisions relating to University property. In this context, complete transparency and strict adherence to legal procedures are essential in matters concerning University assets. The fundamental legal principle that ‘ignorance of the law is not an excuse’ applies to all developments in this regard. — Dr. T.R. Chandrashekar, Syndicate Member, University of Mysore