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.
ALSO READ: Union Minister says, will retire from politics if there is evidence of Modi promising Rs. 15 lakh
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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Delhi Polls: BJP faces protest, placates MLA amid resentment over ticket distribution
New Delhi, Jan 12: Resentment surfaced in the BJP on Sunday over ticket distribution for Delhi Assembly polls, with a protest held outside its Delhi unit office and an angry outburst by the outgoing MLA from Karawal Nagar who was not included in the candidate list released a day earlier.
As MLA Mohan Singh Bisht threatened to revolt after being denied a ticket from Karawal Nagar, the party rushed to control the damage and announced his candidature from the Mustafabad seat this evening.
A group of protesters from Tughlakabad in South Delhi held a dharna at the gate of the Delhi BJP office, demanding a change in the candidate from the constituency.
"Vikram Bidhuri Tum Sangharsh Karo; Modi Se Bair Nahi, Rohtas Teri Khair Nahi," the protesters, including mostly youngsters, chanted as the party leaders tried to pacify them.
In the second list of BJP candidates for the polls declared on Saturday, Rohtas Bidhuri was fielded from the Tughlakabad seat. In 2020 Assembly polls, Vikram Bidhuri who is a relative of senior party leader Ramesh Bidhuri, lost to AAP's Sahiram by over 13,000 votes.
A similar protest was also held by some party workers outside the Delhi BJP office against Mehrauli candidate Gajainder Yadav after the announcement of the first list of candidates earlier this month.
Bisht, the senior-most BJP MLA in the outgoing Assembly elected five times from Karawal Nagar, openly expressed unhappiness over being denied the ticket to contest from his stronghold.
A senior party leader said he was pacified after a meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda.
Bisht, after getting the ticket from Mustafabad, expressed confidence that he would win the seat for the BJP.
"I met the national president and things were ironed out. I have assured that I will contest from Mustafabad and win the seat for the party," Bisht told PTI.
The MLA said he and the BJP had considerable support in Mustafabad and he has already attended two public meetings there.
The BJP won the Mustafabad seat, having a significant minority community presence, in the 2015 Assembly polls but lost it to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2020.
Earlier in the day, Bisht told PTI that the party's decision to replace him with Kapil Mishra was "wrong" and its consequences will be visible after voting on February 5.
"You have challenged the 'samaj' (his Uttarakhandi community), not Mohan Singh Bisht. The BJP will lose at least 8-10 seats because of this decision, including Karawal Nagar, Burari, Mustafabad and Gokalpuri," Bisht warned.
The BJP fielded Kapil Mishra, a Hindutva hardliner, from Karwal Nagar in North East Delhi, which was rocked by massive communal violence just after the 2020 Assembly polls.
Sources in the party claimed that there was also "deep resentment" among the Delhi BJP's Scheduled Castes Morcha leaders over being denied tickets from different constituencies including Madipur and Kondli.
A top Delhi BJP functionary stressed that there are many ticket aspirants, so it is natural for those who did not get selected to feel disappointed.
"The BJP is a disciplined party and its leaders understand this. Sooner or later, everyone will realise this and work for the victory of the party giving up their resentment," he said.
The elections to 70 Assembly seats in Delhi are scheduled on February 5. Results will be out after the counting of votes on February 8.
The BJP, out of power in Delhi since 1998, is making all-out efforts to return to power. In the 2015 and 2020 Assembly polls, the party was completely routed by the AAP, scraping through with just three and eight seats, respectively.
