It is nearly three months since the Principal Secretary, Higher Education, directed the authorities of Rani Channamma University to register a criminal complaint against Vishnukant S. Chatpalli, former special officer to Chancellor, who is now the chairman of the department of business administration, Vidya Sangama campus. The authorities, however, are sitting on the direction instead of acting on it.
Dr. Chatpalli has been accused of misusing the office of the registrar and signing an illegal bond with S.M. Jaamdar, appointing him as visiting professor in the department of criminology and criminal justice.
The direction of the government follows a complaint by Dharwad-based advocate Basavaraj Godachi, who alleged that the stamp paper purchased on August 20, 2014, shows the signature of Dr. Chatapalli with an earlier date — July 1, 2014. The agreement did not have the seal of the office of the registrar and there were no dates along with signatures, which was a pre-requisite for signing any legal document.
However, the varsity authorities, under the pretext of “natural justice”, sent the government letter for legal opinion to the Law Department, which upheld the government’s direction.
Registrar Shantinath Dibbad told The Hindu that the matter had been looked into and placed before in-charge Vice-Chancellor Dasharath R. Albal. “Once the file is cleared, action will be taken as per government direction,” he added.
Vishnukant S. Chatpalli has been accused of misusing the office of the registrar
He allegedly signed an illegal bond to appoint a visiting professor
