Anti-Corruption Bureau arrests Telangana University VC for taking Rs 50k bribe

Hyderabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Telangana police arrested the Telangana University Vice Chancellor D Ravinder Dachepalli on charges of accepting a bribe of ₹ 50,000 at his residence in Hyderabad.

The ACB conducted a raid at Ravinder's residence in Tarnaka, during which they discovered the alleged bribe amount of Rs 50,000 in the almirah of his bedroom.

The raid was carried out in the presence of mediators, and a chemical test confirmed the positive result, stated T. Sudharshan DSP, who led the operation.

According to the ACB, the 63-year-old Vice Chancellor had demanded and received a bribe of Rs 50,000 from complainant Dasari Shankar in exchange for allotting an examination center to Shankar's college in Bheemgal for the academic year 2022-23.

Later, the ACB officials also searched the VC’s office and took away some files after questioning the employees.

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The Vice Chancellor and the executive committee of the varsity were at loggerheads over the appointment of the Registrar to Telangana University. He appointed a senior professor without the approval of the Executive Council, which rejected the appointment and appointed another senior professor for the post.

However, Prof. Ravinder did not accept. When the Registrar appointed by the Executive Council attempted to assume office, the Vice Chancellor locked the office in protest.

Additionally, there were multiple allegations of corruption and irregularities against the Vice Chancellor concerning the appointment of outsourced employees within the university. These appointments were made without adhering to guidelines and were in excess of the actual requirement, resulting in significant financial losses for the institution.

In April of this year, the Executive Council formed a committee to investigate the appointments made by the Vice Chancellor over the past two years, totaling 175 individuals. During discussions on these allegations of corruption, the Executive Council replaced the Registrar appointed by the Vice Chancellor. In response, Ravinder, angered by the decision, walked out of the meeting.

Instead of complying with the orders of the Executive Council, the Vice Chancellor resorted to legal action, claiming absolute authority over appointments and accusing Commissioner of Collegiate Education, Navin Mittal, of interference. He sought relief from any intervention in his decision-making process.

As the power struggle persisted, the academic atmosphere on campus deteriorated, leading to divisions among students and staff. The outsourced employees, whose salaries were halted, also staged protests.

Prof. Ravinder is the first Vice Chancellor in Telangana, as well as during the period when the state was part of Andhra Pradesh, to be trapped by the ACB. A senior official stated that he is also likely to be the first Vice Chancellor to be suspended, as the ACB intends to request his remand. Once remanded, the government will issue his suspension orders.

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