The one-man inquiry committee report into allegations made against the vice chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Dr H. Maheshappa, that he made false claims in his profile submitted for selection as vice chancellor, will now be submitted on August 9, 2012. According to sources at the higher education department, the governor’s secretariat has extended the term of the inquiry commission headed by Justice Abhay Gohil, by three months.
The commission was notified on January 31, 2012 and was to submit its report three months from the date of commencement. The commission commenced work on February 9, but has not been able to complete work by the deadline of May 9 and has instead sought an extension till August 9.
The governor's decision to grant the extension has not gone down well with the State government as well as academicians. Speaking to this newspaper, a senior officer of the higher education department said the governor's decision has tied the government’s hands. “Prima facie evidence is against Dr Maheshappa. Instead of prosecuting him, the governor simply formed a committee. Dr Maheshappa’s tenure will end in June 2013. If we receive the report on August 9, 2012 we can’t do anything as we will be left with very little time to take action if Dr Maheshappa is found guilty,” he said.
The Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarti Parishad has decided to hold state-wide protests against extending the tenure of the commission. Speaking to this newspaper, ABVP state organising secretary Mr Nagaraja Reddy said, “We are suspicious about the governor's move from the very beginning. We suspect that some mighty people are trying to save the VC. We want the commission to submit its report at the earliest.”