Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court (HC) yesterday directed the State Government to produce the ‘B’ Report filed by the investigation agency on the First Information Report (FIR) registered against two former Vice-Chancellors of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) Prof. K.S. Rangappa and Prof. M.G. Krishnan on alleged irregularities and financial transactions. 

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice H.T. Narendra Prasad issued the direction during the hearing on a PIL petition, filed by the Karnataka State Universities and Colleges Backward Classes and Minority Teachers’ Association, Mysuru, represented by its General Secretary.

The Court issued the direction after the Government advocate informed the Court that ‘B’ Report was filed in the said case as allegations were not established. The petitioner’s counsel raised objections to the filed ‘B’ Report, saying the investigation was not conducted as per the directions of Chancellor (Governor).

The petitioner had sought direction to the Government to initiate a proper and decisive criminal prosecution of Rangappa and Krishnan and four professors of KSOU, based on an inquiry report given in 2015 by Justice K. Bhakthavatsala, a retired judge of  High Court which was accepted by the Chancellor with the remark that the criminal prosecution is required to be initiated under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code. 

Justice Bhakthavatsala prima facie held that the irregularities are violations under Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC. Despite several representations, the Chancellor failed to take action on the basis of report. Therefore, a PIL was filed. 

During the hearing, the Government counsel said that the investigation agency filed the ‘B’ Report stating that allegations could not be established. However, counsel for the petitioner pointed out that the criminal investigation was not carried out in the manner in which the Chancellor had directed. Following this, the HC Bench directed production of ‘B’ Report’ while adjourning hearing till August 7.