Graft charges levelled against SVU Rector

Tirupati: The All India Students' Federation (AISF) unit of the Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) has levelled corruption charges against varsity Rector G Janakiramaiah here on Friday. To prove corruption charges, the AISF leaders Siva Reddy, Chalapathi and Sasi have released an audio tape to the media in front of the SVU Administration Building.

Speaking to the media, the student union leaders have accused SVU Rector of demanding lakhs of rupees as bribe from 18 BEd and MEd colleges which have secured SVU affiliation three months ago. The audio released by AISF leaders was recorded two months ago. Varsity Rector reportedly asked few private college managements to pay him bribe to allow Odisha State students, who took admission in their colleges, to write the exams as they are not eligible.

The audio tape has created sensation among SVU authorities, faculty and students. A delegation led by the AISF leaders have met Vice- Chancellor (V-C) VVN Rajendra Prasad and submitted a representation seeking stern action against Rector.

Speaking to The Hans India, Janakiramaiah has denied the corruption charges levelled against him. He clarified that he spoke to private college managements regarding imposing fines for violation of rules. "Allegations are made as part of conspiracy against me," he said.

The Rector asked V-C and the government to appoint a high-level enquiry committee to probe into allegations. "AISF leaders are making baseless allegations against me with doctored audio tapes," he stated and said one of the varsity officials is behind the allegations. In the SVU history, I was the only one to collect penalty of Rs 20 lakh from private BEd colleges for violation of rules, he added.