HDK should question UoM VC over son's costly car: Forum

Members of the Save University Forum want JD(S) State unit president H D Kumaraswamy to question University of Mysore (UoM) Vice Chancellor K S Rangappa about his son Shreyas Rangappa owning a high-end car.

Addressing a media conference here on Monday, Shivaramu, president of the forum, said, “Shreyas Rangappa, also a close relative of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, purchased Jaguar XF 3.0L diesel premium luxury car in 2013 after Rangappa took over as Vice Chancellor of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU).”

According to him, the car costs nearly Rs 70 lakh. “From where did the Vice Chancellor’s son get the money to purchase such an expensive car? Rangappa was owning an ordinary car earlier and Shreyas had just completed his BE when he purchased the car,” he said.

Shivaramu said, “Kumaraswamy has raised questions over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s watch. But, he has never bothered to speak about the irregularities in the UoM and KSOU. Is Kumaraswamy unaware about the irregularities in the varsity or is he favouring Rangappa?” he said.

Question irregularities

“If Kumaraswamy is really concerned about the society, students and social justice, he should question the irregularities in the KSOU as well as UoM,” he said.

Shivaramu urged Governor Vajubhai Vala, also the chancellor of universities, to act on the Bhaktavatsala Committee report before February 26 and take action against the accused.

“The report has recommended action against 82 employees. If the governor fails to act, the forum, along with students, will lay a siege to Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru,” he said.

Shivaramu said politicians, including MPs Prathap Simha and R Dhruvanarayan, fear losing their vote bank and so they are not speaking about the UoM irregularities.
Vice Chancellor Rangappa was not available for his comments.