MYSURU: The University of Mysore has handed ‘compulsory retirement’ to Prof B Shivaraj of Bahadur Institute of Management Studies (BIMS) for “misconduct”.
The university Syndicate, which met on Monday, took the decision following an inquiry conducted by a retired judge. Shivaraj had two years of service left.
The inquiry report says Shivaraj violated the university statute by “attacking” Vice-Chancellor K S Rangappa while questioning an earlier inquiry report which held him responsible for an ‘illegal’ MoU entered with a foreign institute. The V-C has taken exception to Shivaraj speaking to a local newspaper in this regard which it said amounted to ‘misconduct’.
Refuting the charges made against him in the first inquiry report based on which several of his increments were cut, Shivaraj had alleged that Rangappa was targeting him out of vengeance.
As acting vice-chancellor, Shivaraj had recommended cancellation of the admission of Rangappa’s son to an integrated MSc molecular biology course after an inquiry found that he had got admission despite scoring less than the threshold marks. It was then that the university constituted another inquiry committee based on which, Shivaraj was given compulsory retirement.
‘Act of vengeance’
Shivaraj termed the enquiry report as biased. “I have not refused to co-operate with the inquiry officer at any point in time. Instead, he has shown unusual haste in concluding the enquiry,” he said.
He said the inquiry was completed in just five sittings and the report prepared hurriedly in just 40 days while 90 days was given to complete the inquiry. He said he was not heard, served final inquiry notice, allowed to cross-examine witnesses or allowed to submit arguments.
When contacted, Rangappa confirmed that Shivaraj has been punished with compulsory retirement and said such measures are required to cleanse the university.