Karnataka govt orders investigation on Kuvempu University Chancellor, two others
Shivamogga: In a significant development, the State Government has taken action against the Vice-Chancellor of Kuvempu University, along with the Registrar (Examination) and the Director of The Department of Distance Education. An inquiry committee has been established to investigate allegations of corruption and misconduct at the university.
The probe stems from an incident in 2019 when the university declared results for first and second-year undergraduate, as well as first-year post-graduate students of distance education, without conducting the examinations.
This action directly contravened the resolutions passed by the Syndicate and The Vidya Vishak Parishad at Kuvempu University. Santosh Belekere, a member of the Syndicate, along with RTI activists Gajanan das K G and S M Mahadevappa, lodged a complaint with the state government and the governor, prompting a preliminary investigation.
Led by the Executive Director of the State Higher Education Council, the preliminary inquiry confirmed the violation of rules and instructed the university to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor (Evaluation), and the Director of the Directorate of Distance Education. Consequently, the secretary to the governor has formed an inquiry committee, chaired by a retired judge, to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report.
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The committee, chaired by retired Shivamogga judge Ravindranath H B, comprises the executive director of the Karnataka State Council of Higher Education and the registrar (administration) of Bangalore Urban University. It has been given a timeframe of 20 days to complete the inquiry and submit the report to the government.
The primary objective of the inquiry committee is to conduct a preliminary investigation into the validity of the complaints against the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar (Examination), and Director of the Directorate of Distance Education. The committee's expenses, including allowances, travel expenses, and day allowances, will be covered by Kuvempu University. Furthermore, the committee has been directed to provide accommodation and transport facilities, which will be arranged by the university itself, the order read.
Former Kuvempu University syndicate member commends state government for investigation decision
Former Kuvempu University syndicate member and complainant Belekere Santhosh has welcomed the state government's decision to set up a committee to probe the corruption in Kuvempu University.
"In 2019, the results were declared without conducting exams for first and second year undergraduate and first year post-graduate students of distance education, contrary to the resolution of the syndicate and the Vidya Vishak Parishad in the university. A complaint was lodged with the state government and the governor against this,” he said.
With the tenure of the registrar only two months away. Santhosh has urged the state government to take appropriate action against them at the earliest.
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Karnataka Congress expels party leader over sexual harassment case
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Congress leader B Gurappa Naidu, who has been booked for alleged sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a woman, was on Saturday expelled from the primary membership of the party for a period of six years.
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), disciplinary action committee Chairman K Rahaman Khan announced Naidu's expulsion from the party through a press release.
Sexual harassment case registered against him has been citied as the reason for the move.
Naidu, who is also the General Secretary of KPCC, has been booked under IPC Sections 354A (sexual harassment), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty).
The FIR was registered on November 26, based on the complaint by a 38-year-old woman, who worked as a teacher at a school where the suspect is the Chairman.
