Anna varsity VC suspended under corruption charges

Updated on: Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Coimbatore:Vice-chancellor Dr R. Radhakrishnan of the Anna University, Coimbatore has suspended by state government under -Prevention of Corruption Act.

Suspension of VC , cause some eyebrows to raise leaving a stern warning to all extending hands for bribe. In August, the state directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption had raided the VC's office and residence, as well as a trust being run by his wife in Coimbatore. It was then said that the police seized unaccounted cash and incriminating documents indicating accumulation of wealth disproportionate to known sources of income.

Dr Radhakrishnan was appointed as first VC when the Coimbatore Anna University was established in February 2007. He drew a lot of attention for his fast work in spreading the university network. The university has under its fold three government engineering colleges, two government-aided engineering colleges and 98 self-financing colleges, besides 15 stand-alone institutions.

He is the first in the country to introduce three-year B.E/B.Tech programme exclusively for polytechnic diploma-holders and B.Sc graduates, it was alleged that Dr Radhakrishnan was in 'great hurry' to get autonomous status for some colleges. Among other charges levelled against the VC was that he runs a benami college in his wife's name and that he has a tie-up with a consultancy company for online examinations. On the positive side, he had planned to set up a Research Park and a Training Park.

His academic achievements and personal charm got him elevated as private secretary to three vice-chancellors at the university. For a brief time, he was also secretary to Dr Abdul Kalam when the latter was a visiting faculty at the Anna University while being the scientific adviser to PM and before becoming the President of India.

In his defence, Dr Radhakrishnan has said that he did not commit any irregularities and that he would come out triumphant from the trial.

Anna varsity VC suspended under corruption charges

More Education news