The controversy surrounding the Vice-Chancellor of Rani Channamma University (RCU) in Belagavi has deepened significantly. Three members of the university's syndicate have formally written to the Governor, who is the Chancellor of state universities, demanding immediate action against Prof CM Thyagarajan over serious allegations of irregularities in his appointment.
Core Allegations: Forged Documents and Suppressed Facts
In a detailed complaint, syndicate members Vineet Joshi, Iranna Happali, and Kaveri HM have accused Prof Thyagarajan of securing the top post by unethical means. They claim he submitted over 100 pages of documents to back their allegations. The central charge revolves around his MBA degree certificate, which the complainants assert is fake.
They allege the university mentioned on the certificate did not exist in 2005, the year the degree was purportedly awarded. Furthermore, they point out that the certificate indicates the course was completed partly through regular classes and partly through distance education—a combination they state is not permitted under university regulations. Adding to the doubt, the two institutions cited in the document were reportedly established only after 2006.
The complaint goes beyond academic credentials. The members allege Prof Thyagarajan suppressed crucial information about his past voluntary retirement and his lack of experience in guiding PhD scholars at the time of his appointment. Most damning is the accusation that he did not disclose a financial fraud case registered against him.
A case under IPC Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) was allegedly filed at Siddapur police station during his deputation with the Skill Development Corporation. This information was reportedly omitted during the appointment process for the VC post.
Administrative Lapses and Existing Legal Troubles
The syndicate members have also raised concerns about administrative transparency under Prof Thyagarajan's leadership. They accuse him of failing to provide the proceedings of syndicate meetings held between June 2024 and June 2025 despite repeated requests. They claim no proper records have been maintained for meetings over the past year, labeling this as misuse of power and a serious administrative lapse.
These fresh allegations compound the VC's existing legal challenges. An FIR is already registered against him at Kakati police station under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act based on a complaint from a university professor. In a separate and distressing incident, PhD scholar Sujata Pol lodged a complaint with the Superintendent of Police of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) in Belagavi, alleging harassment by the VC and the registrar. The scholar reportedly attempted suicide last week by consuming sleeping pills.
Demand for Urgent Intervention and Judicial Probe
In light of these mounting accusations, the three syndicate members have sought the Governor's urgent intervention. Their primary demands include:
- Initiating a thorough judicial inquiry into all the allegations.
- Placing Prof CM Thyagarajan on mandatory leave until the completion of a fair and impartial investigation.
This move by internal university authorities signifies a major escalation in the ongoing turmoil at RCU, putting intense pressure on the university administration and the state's higher education governance. Attempts by media outlets to contact Prof Thyagarajan for his response to these new allegations have so far been unsuccessful.
