In a significant ruling, the Karnataka High Court has ordered the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) of Karnataka to conduct a thorough financial audit of the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad. This extensive audit will cover the period from 2018 to 2025, following the alarming revelation that an unqualified individual served as the in-charge Comptroller for a staggering seven years. The court emphasized that legal action must be taken if any financial irregularities are uncovered during this review.
A “Shocking” Discovery
Justice Suraj Govindaraj, while dismissing a petition by Shivaputra M. Honnali (the in-charge Comptroller), expressed profound shock at the situation. The judge noted that an in-charge appointment should ideally not exceed six months, and even a regular Comptroller’s tenure, under Section 31(9)(a) of the UAS Act, 2009, is capped at four years. Yet, Honnali continued in the role for nearly seven years, a fact the court deemed “suspicious” and detrimental to public confidence.
The court further highlighted that Honnali was fundamentally ineligible for the post. The UAS Act clearly stipulates that the Comptroller must either be from the Joint Comptroller cadre of the State Accounts Department or an officer of Deputy Accountant-General rank from the Audit and Accounts Department, qualifications Honnali lacked.
Alleged Vice-Chancellor Support
Adding to the concerns, the court observed that the proper procedure for appointing a Comptroller was completely sidestepped. There was no panel of eligible candidates presented to the University’s Board of Management (BoM), nor did the BoM approve Honnali’s appointment. The court also pointed out that the in-charge arrangement, which should have been temporary, was allegedly prolonged from 2018 onwards with the “active support” of the Vice-Chancellor, who then seemingly challenged other legitimate appointments by the State.
Justice Govindaraj concluded by stating that such an irregular appointment to the critical financial post of Comptroller at the university was unacceptable. The judge reiterated the necessity of a CAG audit of UAS Dharwad’s financial dealings since 2018 to determine the extent of any potential mismanagement.