Madras High Court instructs CBI to act upon complaint of misappropriation of funds at Pondicherry University

The Madras High Court has instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe a complaint of misappropriation of funds to the tune of ₹ 2.25 crore by authorities of Pondicherry University (PU).

The Madras High Court has instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe a complaint of misappropriation of funds to the tune of ₹ 2.25 crore by authorities of Pondicherry University (PU).

Disposing of a petition filed by the president of the Democratic Youth Federation of India, A. Anand, Justice G. Jayachandran said the CBI “is requested to register the complaint and proceed with the investigation.”

Mr. Anand had approached the court after the CBI took time to act upon his complaint of misappropriation of funds sanctioned by the Centre to the Human Resources Development Centre (HRDC) at PU, to conduct orientation courses and refresher programmes for the teaching and non-teaching staff of the college.

The petitioner had approached the CBI after the finance section of PU found misappropriation of funds by the then Director of HRDC, S. Hariharan who had forged bills over the pretext of conducting 92 orientation and refresher programmes for the staff. Mr. Hariharan officiated as the director from 2008 to 2016.

The complaint was lodged by Mr. Anand with the CBI on February 4, 2022. In his complaint, he sought a probe against Mr. Hariharan, Vice Chancellor of the university Gurmeet Singh, Finance Officer D. Lazar and officials in the Vice Chancellor’s office for misuse of Government of India funds, forgery, fabrication of bills and for protection of the culprits after taking bribes.

After the complaint was filed, the agency conducted a preliminary inquiry and found sufficient material to register the complaint. As the case involved public servants, the agency sought permission from the Centre under section 17 A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, for the registration of the case and to further proceed with the investigation.

The CBI’s public prosecutor, during the hearing, stated that after its repeated reminders, the Ministry of Education had intimated on June 23, this year, that the executive council of the University has not granted sanction for investigation.