Nirmala Devi case: Raj Bhavan did not consult government, says Minister

The Minister told reporters that the Governor as the Chancellor of all the Universities in the state has the powers to constitute such a committee. “However, the move is unprecedented and appears to be novel for the state,” he said. 

He reasoned that the Governor could have resorted to the move since his name was mentioned by Nirmala Devi and some of the Opposition leaders had levelled allegations against the Governor in connection with the episode.  Responding to the demand of Opposition parties for a CBI enquiry into the case, the Minister said if it was found that the investigation was not proper and did not yield the results, the government would consider entrusting the case to the CBI. Stringent action would be taken on the culprits and it would be a lesson to all those who indulge in such crimes. Anbalagan asserted that anyone found guilty would be punished whatever his position might be. Denying that the government was slow to take action on Nirmala Devi, the Minister said the professor was suspended immediately after the college students complained about her. Since, the next two days were government holidays, the management lodged a complaint with the police on the next working day. A case had been registered immediately and the investigation had begun, he said. 

“We did not know under what circumstances Nirmala Devi committed the mistake. After the arrest, she can try to use anyone’s name,” he said. 

Meanwhile, PMK founder S Ramadoss had said the Governor had no power to form a committee into the affairs of a private college and only the DCE could enquire into the charges.