The state government’s decision of appointing KR Venugopal as special officer for the soon-to-come DVG Jnana Vaahini University—which will be carved out of Bangalore University—is set to reach the Lokayukta.
A senior professor and a colleague of Venugopal at University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) has decided to approach the Lokayukta following the allegations which have been levelled against Venugopal.
G Narendra Kumar, a senior professor of UVCE, has decided to go to Lokayukta, taking three major issues. One is the fake caste certificate submitted by Venugopal while getting a job. Another is that he guided his nephew for MSc engineering and the third one is ruining a student’s career by misguiding him.
“There are many serious lapses by Venugopal. The fake caste certificate submitted by him was a big issue and even the Bangalore University took a decision to suspend him, but the government put pressure on university authorities and forced to keep the decision on abeyance," Narendra Kumar told DNA.“
Though the case is proved at the government level, why should they protect him? I don’t think I will get justice from government. Lokayukta would be the better option. So, I have decided to approach the authorities concerned there soon,” he said.
Allegations reaching Lokayukta: Fake cast certificate: In 1988, Venugopal applied for a job in UVCE by claiming that he belongs to Agnikula Kshatriya caste and managed to get the job. Another professor of UVCE complained to the state government that Venugopal had submitted fake caste certificate. The inquiry revealed that the allegation was true. The secretary of social welfare department wrote a letter to the university in 2002, directing that Venugopal be removed from service. The university authorities did not take any action.
Misguiding student: When he was the principal, Venugopal misguided a student and ruined his career. A student, Satyajeeth S Jathan had failed in second semester. He was not allowed to take the theory exams and need to take re-admission to second semester. But Venugopal entertained him and admitted him to next semester. The student realised the problem when he tried to get the final marks card of engineering. The results were withheld because he had not passed in the lower level examinations.
Guiding his nephew: Another allegation against Venugopal is guiding his nephew to pursue MSc engineering. Guiding one's relative is a clear violation of rules. Being a course guide, Venugopla was the person who decided course work, prepared question paper and evaluated the answer script.
