Now, Bharathiar University director of SDE held for graft

A day after Bharathiar University Vice Chancellor A Ganapathy, 67, was caught red handed while receiving a bribe of Rs 30 lakh from an aspirant for the post of assistant professor, the SDE Director (in-charge) Madhivanan, 47, was also arrested, on Sunday for brokering the deal with complainant Suresh, an assistant professor in Department of Chemistry. 

Meanwhile, Ganapathy and Dharmaraj, professors in Department of Chemistry, who was also arrested for conniving with the VC in corrupt deals, were both remanded in judicial custody till February 16. After a 14-hour search in their house and office, Ganapathy and Dharmaraj were produced before the judge of Special Court of Prevention of Corruption Act, John Mino, around midnight and remanded in judicial custody. 

Following a search, police sources claimed to have seized incriminating documents and a diary, which had details on the pay offs received by the VC for postings in the university. While being taken to the court, the VC told media that it was a conspiracy against him. The VC and two others were booked under Section 7, 13 (1) D and 12 of Prevention of Corruption Act. 

The DVAC officials have decided to suggest departmental action, including their dismissal from service. Following the expose, the large-scale appointments done by the VC have also come under scanner.  Allegations of corruption surfaced, when the VC made recruitments hurriedly for about 82 teaching posts in 28 departments of university and constituent colleges in 2016, despite an order by the Higher Education Secretary to stop appointments. Police have now decided to inquire if those mass recruitments were done by the VC in violation of norms by taking kickbacks. 

Police will also interrogate the VC’s wife Swarnalatha for attempting to destroy evidence by dumping the chemical laced currency notes into the toilet flush out. The tainted VC had moved a bail plea and it is likely to come up for hearing on February 6.