DHARWAD: The Lokayukta Police on Monday arrested Karnatak University Vice-Chancellor H B Walikar and three others in connection with a case relating to irregularities in the university. Registrar (Evaluation) H T Pote, Finance Officer S Rajashri and V-C’s personal assistant S L Bilagi are the three others arrested.
While Pote and Bilagi were remanded in judicial custody, Walikar and Rajashri were sent to KIMS Hospital in Hubli for a mandatory health check-up. While Walikar had undergone a bypass surgery, Rajashri is said to be a chronic diabetic. Based on the doctor’s advice, police are expected to initiate further action.
“I have become a scapegoat of caste politics,” said Walikar on his arrest. “God is there. He will do justice,” he added. His wife Anusuya, who claimed that Walikar was innocent, said, “He used to be busy with varsity work from 3 am. This is the reward he received.”
The High Court at Dharwad on Monday adjourned the hearing on the petition filed by Walikar seeking quashing of the FIR, after transferring the case to the Single Judge Bench from the Divisional Bench on technical grounds. The writ petition is expected to come up for hearing after October 27, since the advocate representing the Governor’s office sought more time to present the case.
The arrested were accused of a series of irregularities, including flouting of norms in the appointment of lecturers.The Lokayukta Police filed an FIR against the four.