With Governor and Chancellor Sheila Dixit expelling A V George from the Vice-Chancellor post of Mahatma Gandhi University, on Monday, more troubles await him in the coming days.
He will have to face a series of legal proceedings. Besides, he will have to return the financial benefits, including the salary he received while in office. The expulsion was on the basis of the government report that states that his selection procedure was ‘ab-initio void’, said legal experts. As per the information available, the government recommended action against George on the basis of a report submitted by Higher Education Secretary K M Abraham, which says that George had misrepresented his credentials with a mala-fide intention during the selection process for the post, and therefore, the selection process was flawed. According to legal sources, it would amount to serious criminal issues like forgery of documents.
Moreover, a criminal case, filed by BJP Idukki district president P A Velukkuttan seeking action against Dr George, pending before Vanchiyoor court, is expected to get a fresh impetus. Velukkuttan told ‘Express’ that he would go ahead with the case, the next hearing of which is on May 20.
He added that he would also approach the High Court with a request to direct George to return the monetary benefits received from the varsity while in office.
It is learnt that George will have to repay the salary he had drawn from the varsity since he assumed office in January, 2013. He availed himself of the university fund to conduct his personal legal battles as well.
In another complaint filed by Sharafunnisa K M, national secretary of the NSU (I), before the Lokayuktha that “George had appointed a senior counsel and released `2.25 lakh twice to defend quo-warranto litigation seeking his removal from the Vice-Chancellor’s post.” She also pointed out that though it was not a litigation against the varsity but against him, he spent `4.5 lakh from the varsity fund to defend the litigation.
Yet another contempt case was filed by M R Unni, University Registrar, against him when George refused to re-instate Unni in service even after the High Court orders. The case filed in April 2013 has two other attachment cases as well.