Guv's office to seek clarification from VTU VC

Raj Bhavan sources stated that Maheshappa will be called in for a ‘formal meeting’ to give an explanation once they verify the documents.

“We have asked for the relevant documents and have to scrutinise them before taking a call,” said a Raj Bhavan source.

On why the documents of Maheshappa was not scrutinised before being forwarded to the search committee, sources said that their qualifications were admitted in ‘good faith.’ “With 25 to 27 years of experience, we could never have thought of such an issue. We did not intend to dig into their past,” the source said.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, the search committee Chairman, Prof Ramegowda said that based on the curriculum vitae of the applicants they had recommended Dr Maheshappa’s name along with the other two names for the Chancellor’s nomination back in May.

“We had submitted the names unanimously in an alphabetical order ensuring that there was no bias towards the selection of the candidate. We were not aware of Maheshappa’s degree marks as the information provided to us by the Chancellor’s office is the only one we based our judgement on,” he justified.

 Ramegowda reiterated that the nomination of the VC was made by taking into account the integrity of the person.

“The level and position for which we were searching it is based on the integrity and responsibility of the person. We could not have foreseen such a turn of events,” said Ramegowda.

From the State Government side, the newly-appointed Higher Education Minister, Dr V S Acharya said that the issue does not directly come under the Government. “The Governor, who is the chancellor of Universities, has to initiate action,” he added.

Meanwhile, it is said that the Government will initiate criminal proceedings against former vice chancellor of Mysore University Prof J Shashidar Prasad for his alleged involvement in illegal recruitment scam in the university, Acharya said on Monday.

“The Government is initiating action as the issue does not directly come under the purview of the Governor,” Acharya informed.