Karnataka Governor Appoints Retired Judge to Probe Financial Irregularities at Kuvempu University

Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot has appointed Justice R. Gururajan, a retired Karnataka High Court judge, to lead a one-man fact-finding committee investigating alleged financial irregularities at Kuvempu University in Shivamogga. The inquiry focuses on the misappropriation and misuse of grants sanctioned for smart class facilities intended for research scholars. In January 2022, the state government approved ₹5 crore for this purpose, with ₹4.25 crore released under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan between February 2022 and April 2023. Following multiple complaints against former university officials, including the then Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, a previous inquiry led by Ravindranath H.B. had already confirmed the misuse of funds. Acting on a state government proposal, the Governor has ordered this fresh investigation to determine the collective responsibility of specific officials: B.P. Veerabhadrappa, Geetha C., Y.L. Ramachandra, and Shankarappa B. Justice Gururajan is directed to submit his findings within one month and assess whether an FIR should be filed regarding the alleged corruption.