Plaints against irregularities, breach of trust and conspiracy causing financial loss to Open Varsity

Mysuru: The Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) has filed complaints against its previous Vice-Chancellors, Finance Officer, Registrar and Registrar (Evaluation) in connection with various irregularities in the Open University that led to the University Grants Commission (UGC) derecognising the University. 

Lakhs of students were put into severe hardships due to derecognition and the current KSOU authorities had to run from pillar to post to get back the UGC recognition that came with several riders. The complaints were filed before Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), Mysuru and Jayalakshmipuram Police Station yesterday. While five complaints were filed before the ACB Superintendent of Police, two were filed before the Station House Officer, Jayalakshmipuram Police Station. 

Highly-placed sources from KSOU confirmed that the complaints have been filed by the Registrar following the recent High Court directions. The complaints have been filed against previous Vice-Chancellors Prof. K.S. Rangappa, Prof. M.G. Krishnan, Prof. K. Sudha Rao, former Finance Officer Rajashekharaiah, former Registrars Prof. P.S. Naik and Prof. B.S. Vishwanath, former Registrar (Evaluation) Prof. K.J. Suresh, former Information Technology Director Dr. Kamalesh and other officials. KSOU Sources said that the name of former VC B.A. Vivek Rai’s name too has been mentioned in the complaint. 

Nature of complaints

The complaint against Prof. K. Sudha Rao states that the VC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with private persons permitting them to admit students to various courses without seeking legal opinion from the Government. 

The complaint against Prof. K.S. Rangappa is for establishing 21 Regional Centres and for having appointed all the Regional Directors and increasing their salary from Rs.20,000 to Rs.36,200 per month with other allowances. 

The complaint against Prof. M.G. Krishnan, Rajashekharaiah, Prof. P.S. Naik, and Prof. K.J Suresh is for purchasing 20 lakh marks cards/ degree certificates resulting in financial loss to the University. The complaint also states that they failed to protect the interests of students amounting to dereliction of duty and breach of trust. 

Criminal breach of trust 

The Vice-Chancellors and former head-honchos of KSOU have been accused of alleged violation of rules and alleged connivance, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and abuse of office. “Their acts are clearly fraudulent and amounting to cheating the University and misappropriation of public funds of the University, which is a criminal breach of trust. We request you to investigate them thoroughly and prosecute the persons involved in the Court of law,” states the complaint. 

The complaint mentions that the High Court of Karnataka has directed the KSOU to comply with the directions of the Governor and Chancellor of the University who has directed the KSOU to book cases against the guilty. The complaint mentions that Justice K. Bhakthavatsala One Man Fact Finding Committee report had clearly mentioned about the illegalities and had recommended action                 against them.