Mangalore University Syndicate member writes to VC; demands enquiry in corruption case
University prof. had paid bribe to history sheeter who promised him VC’s job
Mangaluru: Prominent advocate of Mangaluru and owner of Paniyala Associates Vivekananda Paniyala has written to Mangalore University’s Vice Chancellor requesting him to institute enquiry into the incident of one of the Professors of the University who has filed a complaint in local Police station alleging that he has Paid bribe to an accused who Promised to elevate him as the VC of Raichur University.
Professor in Microbiology at Mangalore University M. Jayashankar had earlier this week lodged complaint at kankanady Police Station against Ramsena’s state chief Prasad who allegedly Promised him to elevate as Raichur University’s VC in exchange of money.
In the letter Vivekananda has claimed that the incident prima facie appears indulging in corrupt practice of offering illegal gratification amounting to misconduct.
Professor in Microbiology Mr. M. Jayashankar, who is also the Director of College Development Council has lodged a complaint with the police alleging that the accused person namely one Prasad has cheated him by promising to get the post of VC of Raichur University and as part of the same, M. Jayashankar has paid Rs. 17 lakhs in cash and also issued 3 blank cheques in all for a sum of Rs. 30 lakhs. This is shocking to the conscience of the Syndicate members, the letter stated.
“The entire incident as narrated in the complaint and as reported in the media smacks of malafides and corrupt practice of payment of illegal gratification. This conduct is unbecoming of a professor of a university” Vivekananda wrote in the letter.
“Undoubtedly, this is an act of moral turpitude lowering the dignity and reputation of the university itself, of which I am part by being member of the Syndicate. While the police are going to investigate into the criminal aspect of the offence, the University being the employer and appointing authority constituted under the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000, is required to take serious cognizance of this shocking incident and seek explanation from Mr. M. Jayashankar forthwith as a prelude before initiating appropriate disciplinary proceedings from the point of misconduct as the issue is much deeper and larger warranting appropriate action proactively in the larger interest of the public” it further added.
“Since the matter is of grave concern and the public at large are deeply anguished by this unethical practice of engaging touts for securing the posts of Vice Chancellor, I request you to call for an emergency special Syndicate meeting of Mangalore University. Since the Syndicate is the important authority of the University under Section 27(a) and 29 of the K.S.U. Act, 2000, it is imperative that proper queries are framed before seeking legal opinion” it urged the VC.
“In the above context, I am specifically pointing out this aspect in view of the fact that some of the “legal opinions” obtained by the University recently have failed to address the core issues due to the fact that the queries are not framed properly leading to vague and unprofessional opinions by the Advocates of Mangalore University. This has derailed many burning issues as opinions of the Advocates are mixed with their personal views rather than purely professional opinions based on facts, circumstances, materials and principles of law.
“In light of the above, I request you to first secure a copy of the complaint and FIR along with an explanation from Prof. Jayashankar and place the same before the Syndicate for appropriate decision thereon as this requires wider consultation and deliberation by taking all the Syndicate members into confidence. Let the Syndicate pass a suitable resolution covering all aspects and accordingly institute an enquiry by a Committee headed by a retired Judge of Hon'ble High Court. I hope that you will treat this request in its proper perspective and do the needful” Vivekananda wrote while concluding the letter.
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Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance announcement for civic polls likely next week
Mumbai (PTI): The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are likely to announce next week their alliance for the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra, with seat-sharing for all the civic bodies, except Mumbai, almost complete, leaders of both the parties said.
Elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the all-important Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held on January 15, and the counting of votes will take place the next day.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS will forge an alliance for the polls in municipal corporations of Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune and Nashik, among others.
The Sena (UBT) is headed by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, while his once-estranged cousin Raj is the president of the MNS.
"Talks for all civic bodies, except Mumbai, are complete. The sticking point is about the seats that we are demanding in Marathi-dominated areas. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is not still not agreeing to it which has delayed the seat-sharing. But the talks have to be over soon since the date of filing nominations starts next week (December 23 to December 30)," an MNS leader said.
Talking to reporters, MNS leader and former MLA Nitin Sardesai said, "It is appropriate to say that the talks are in final stages but it is difficult to say when it will be officially announced. I can only say that all sides are putting efforts to complete the talks and they are working towards it."
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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab met Raj Thackeray to discuss seat-sharing.
A Sena (UBT) leader said talks are in final stages and there is no hurdle in the seat-sharing agreement.
"The two brothers are expected to officially announce the alliance between the two parties on Monday in a public event or through a press conference that will set the tone for the civic body polls," he said.
Raj Thackeray quit the undivided Shiv Sena blaming Uddhav for his exit in 2005 and floated the MNS in 2006. They had been political rivals since then.
However, after the drubbing of their parties in the Maharashtra assembly polls in 2024 - the Sena (UBT) won 20 seats, while MNS drew a blank - both leaders decided to put behind their political acrimony and find a common ground for survival.
Over the past few months, the two cousins shared the stage or were spotted at public forums together multiple times for various reasons.
The cousins publicly ended their two-decade-long estrangement in July, where they addressed a joint rally. At the event, Uddhav said they have come together to stay together.
