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Anna University: Ex-controller of exams accused in marks-for-cash scam seeks bail

Suspended Anna University professor GV Uma has moved the Madras High Court for anticipatory bail in connection with marks-for-cash scam that has hit the educational institution.

SNS | New Delhi | August 10, 2018 8:14 pm

Anna University: Ex-controller of exams accused in marks-for-cash scam seeks bail

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Suspended Anna University professor GV Uma has moved the Madras High Court for anticipatory bail in connection with marks-for-cash scam that has hit the educational institution.

Uma, who was booked by Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on 31 July, argued in her petition that she conducted examinations for the University in a fair and transparent manner during her stint as controller of examinations from 3 March 2015 to 2 March 2018.

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According to The Times of India, Uma claimed that a controller could not influence examiners or officers to award favourable marks to any student. She had earlier stated that it was she who took action against 1,040 examiners after a re-evaluation of marks revealed glaring deviations.

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Justice M Dhandapani on Thursday asked the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to file a reply by 14 August.

The DVAC had charged Uma and nine other teaching faculty members of Anna University and other colleges for accepting bribe of Rs 10,000 per student in exchange of marks.

The Anna University had on 3 August suspended Uma and three other faculty members over the controversy.

Anna University Vice-Chancellor MK Surappa had told reporters, “There is overwhelming evidence against professor Uma, proving her involvement at different levels in the scam. Our internal inquiry committee also found evidence against other two faculty members P Vijayakumar and R Sivakumar from University College of Engineering Tindivanam as well. The other seven members named in FIR are not our faculty members.”

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# India

The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to M K Nasar, one of the individuals convicted by the special NIA court last year in the case of chopping the hands of Professor T J Joseph in 2010. A division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice P V Balakrishnan suspended Nasar’s sentence and granted conditional bail to him after considering his appeal against the NIA court’s conviction in the case Considering the prolonged detention and citing the potential for trial delays, the court suspended Nasar’s sentence and granted conditional bail, taking into account that some co-accused with similar allegations had already been released after serving shorter terms. The court noted that he had already spent nine years in jail and that delays in resolving appeals could justify suspending a convict’s prison term. It also observed that other accused in the case had received lesser sentences and had already been released after serving their terms. “The applicant has been undergoing incarceration, at the pre-conviction and post-conviction phases, for over 9 years. Furthermore, the fact that the accused facing the same allegations were earlier imposed a lesser term of imprisonment and have been released after having undergone the sentence is a factor that cannot be ignored. Additionally, the appeals filed by the NIA against the findings of the learned Sessions Judge are being considered in separate appeals, which have not yet been taken up. “There is also the likelihood of delay, as the prime accused has surrendered, and the learned Sessions Judge may have to take up the trial and dispose of it in accordance with the law and some of the original records may be required for that purpose. In view of these facts and circumstances, we are of the considered opinion that the sentence imposed on the applicant can be suspended pending the consideration of the appeal.” The court said The court, however, imposed strict conditions for Nasar’s bail. He is not supposed to provide a bond of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties, refrain from leaving the country without the court’s permission, avoid interfering with the trial or witnesses, and not commit similar offences while on bail The gruesome incident dates back to July 4, 2010, when Joseph, a professor at Newman College, Thodupuzha, was returning from Sunday mass with his family, members of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) attacked him, allegedly in retaliation for a question paper he set, which contained a passage that they claimed insulted Prophet Mohammed was derogatory. His right hand was chopped off in this attack. Nasar was accused of playing a critical role in the attack. Investigations revealed his involvement in recruiting gang members, assigning specific tasks, collecting funds, procuring communication devices, and maintaining communication links with key conspirators.

The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to M K Nasar, one of the individuals convicted by the special NIA court last year in the case of chopping the hands of Professor T J Joseph in 2010.