Karnatak varsity V-C, 3 officials arrested for graft

Mangalore Today News Network

Dharwad, Oct 20, 2014, dhns:  H B Walikar, Vice-Chancellor of Karnatak University, Dharwad, and three other varsity officials were arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act by Dharwad Lokayukta   Police on Monday.

The other three accused officers are university Registrar (Evaluation) H T Pote, Finance Officer Rajashri, and Personal Assistant to Vice-Chancellor S L Bilgi.

However, after medical checkup at the district civil hospital in Dharwad, V-C Walikar and Finance Officer Rajashri, who complained of high blood pressure and diabetes, were shifted to KIMS hospital in Hubli, while Pote and Bilgi were produced before Lokayukta Judge Ballolli at his home office. As the judge refused them bail, both were sent to Dharwad Central Jail.

The Lokayukta police stated that the four officials were arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The arrest was led by Lokayukta SP K Parashuram.

In the evening, the Lokayukta Police team arrived at the administrative building on the university campus, which houses the office of the vice-chancellor, and interrogated Dr Walikar. Around 8 pm, he was whisked away by the Lokayukta Police in a waiting vehicle to the district civil hospital for medical checkup.

Earlier, the Lokayukta Police had interrogated the other three officials and taken them into custody. Dr Walikar is facing charges of illegal appointments to various posts, marks card scam, piece tender scam, producing fake bills of tours, among others.

On the direction of Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, university Registrar (Administration) Chandrama Kanagali had filed a criminal case against Dr Walikar and 11 others with the Dharwad Lokayukta. The Lokayukta police, after preliminary investigation, arrested them.