Bengaluru: Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot issued a show-cause notice to Bangalore University vice-chancellor C Shivaraju following complaints over a series of allegations relating to his earlier tenure as registrar (evaluation). The governor is chancellor of the university.
The notice, issued by the governor’s secretariat Monday, sought a point-wise written explanation within seven days, along with documents, on the allegations.
The allegations include examination irregularities involving marks tampering and evaluation scams. The notice refers to a criminal case (no. 01/2021), registered at Jnanabharathi police station, which was subsequently handed over to Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The governor’s secretariat raised allegations concerning irregularities in purchase of mark sheets and tender-related matters. Another allegation relates to alleged abuse of official position and favouring a private company without following the prescribed tender and procurement procedures. The allegation is that Shivraju retrospectively awarded the company the work of scanning answer scripts by using a legal provision that allowed skipping the tender process. The notice alleges that money was collected from a retired senior professor and other individuals on the promise of securing appointments/jobs, including VC’s post. “These allegations, if established, are serious and may have a bearing on your integrity and suitability to hold VC’s office,” the notice stated.
The governor has asked Shivraju to explain why appropriate action should not be taken against him under the applicable provisions, including with regard to his continuation as VC of Bangalore University.
Shivaraju said, “The allegations are contrary to the facts and have caused me distress. I have faith in the legal process and the authorities concerned and will submit a point-by-point response along with documents.”
Shivaraju was BU’s registrar (evaluation) and head of Sanskrit department at the university. He was appointed VC on July 11.
