Corrupt people included in CM's VC list; Governor approaches Justice Dhulia committee

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor R.V. Arlekar approached the Supreme Court-appointed committee, citing that corrupt and foreign nationals were included in the Vice Chancellors' list recommended by the Chief Minister for technical and digital universities. Justice Dhulia submitted a report of over 100 pages, including evidence, documents and the findings of the CAG, to the committee.

"Those who came first in the list prepared by Justice Dhulia after conducting an interview were omitted by the chief minister. Disciplinary action was taken against the person whom the Chief Minister recommended for the technical university. This person was accused of financial irregularities of Rs. 10 lakh. The government has ordered him to repay the money." The Governor also points out that he faced complaints from girl students for misconduct while being the principal of an engineering college.

A British citizen was included in the list on the recommendation of the Chief Minister for the Digital University. The Governor alleged that this person is the head of a department at the university and was included in the list, considering his closeness to a former MP. The CAG investigation is in progress against the person whose name was first recommended in the Digital University. The CAG's preliminary findings are that he committed irregularities in funds, including those of the central government. The Governor says that a person who was earlier dismissed by the Supreme Court and another who committed irregularities in mark distribution are also on the list. The Governor had earlier handed over a 22-page letter and more than 80 pages of documents to the Chief Minister, pointing this out.

• The Governor is of the view that the search committee panel without a UGC representative is illegal. A special petition has been filed in the Supreme Court citing this.

• The Governor will point out that the Supreme Court’s removal of Dr Rajasree, the VC of the Technical University, was due to irregularities, including the absence of a UGC representative in the search committee.

• The decision has been made to question the appointments of VCs who did not comply with UGC regulations, in the larger bench of the Supreme Court.

• Legal advice has also been sought regarding filing a review petition, stating that the VC appointment is the sole authority of the Chancellor, and it is not legal for the court to take over.