The High Court on Tuesday dismissed the appeal filed by Chancellor of Universities in Karnataka, - Governor - challenging the single judge order, which had dismissed the allegations made against Prof H B Walikar, former Vice Chancellor of Karnatak University.
A division bench comprising Justice Anand Byrareddy and Justice S Sujatha who heard the matter in Dharwad bench pronounced the order upholding the order of the single judge and directed the university to conduct an independent inquiry into the matter.
The matter pertains to FIR and Lokayukta proceedings initiated against Walikar on allegation of financial irregularities, malpractice and breach of trust under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The Governor had appointed a one-man committee of Justice B Padmaraj to inquire into the allegations.
Walikar had contended that during the inquiry, the committee did not give him any opportunity to defend himself. The division bench said that the Vice Chancellor, being an executive officer, cannot be treated on a par with other employees and should have been given opportunity to present his case. The bench dismissed the chancellor's contentions and observed that an independent inquiry can be held by the university.
Published 24 November 2015, 20:35 IST