Periyar University VC held under SC/ST Act
SALEM: Periyar University Vice-Chancellor R Jagannathan was arrested on Tuesday under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly threatening and abusing the legal adviser of the Periyar University Employees’ Union (PUEU), I Elangovan.
The arrest came after Elangovan filed a complaint with the Karuppur police. Jagannathan was taken to an undisclosed location for questioning before being brought to the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital. He has now been remanded in judicial custody.
The complaint lodged by Elangovan on December 4 also named registrar K Thangavel, computer science department associate professor S Sathiesh, and Trichy Bharathidasan University’s technical education professor E Ramganesh. Elangovan alleged that Jagannathan and the three others established the Periyar University Technology Entrepreneurship and Research (PUTER) Foundation on September 14, 2023, without proper authorization.
According to Elangovan, the firm was registered under the Company Registrar Office in Coimbatore, but they did not seek approval from the government or the syndicate to operate under the university’s address. Elangovan further claimed that the investment for the company was taken from university funds.
In his complaint, Elangovan mentioned that Jagannathan allocated office space for PUTER Foundation on the university premises through a consent letter dated March 17. The letter was handed over to Kuttiannan Thangavel, the CEO of the firm and the registrar (FAC) of the university, on April 24.
When Elangovan confronted the vice-chancellor on Tuesday to seek an explanation, Jagannathan allegedly hurled abusive remarks at him in the presence of university employees. This led Elangovan to file an additional complaint with the Karuppur police.
Karuppur police inspector Manonmani confirmed the arrest of the vice-chancellor and stated that further action would be taken.
Besides the SC/ST Act, the police have also registered a case against Jagannathan and the other individuals involved under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These include charges related to obscenity, criminal intimidation, criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, breach of public trust, and attempt to commit offenses.
The arrest of Periyar University’s vice-chancellor has sent shockwaves through the academic community. As the investigation unfolds, it is expected that more details will emerge regarding the allegations against Jagannathan and the others involved in the establishment of PUTER Foundation.
The Periyar University Employees’ Union has called for a thorough inquiry into the matter, emphasizing the importance of upholding the principles of transparency and integrity in educational institutions. The arrest also highlights the need for strict compliance with legal and ethical standards to protect the interests of all stakeholders.
As the case progresses, it will be crucial to ensure that justice is served and that any wrongdoing is appropriately addressed. The incident serves as a reminder of the significance of upholding the rights of marginalized communities and the need to foster an inclusive and respectful environment within academic institutions.
