Kerala’s anti-corruption watchdog, the Lok Ayukta, has issued significant show-cause notices to both the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar of Calicut University. The notices demand an explanation as to why legal action should not be initiated against them for their ‘deliberate decision to not appear’ before the investigative body.
This directive from the Lok Ayukta’s Division Bench stemmed from a complaint lodged by a former university employee concerning his pension calculation. Following the initial complaint, the forum had promptly initiated a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Despite receiving and acknowledging summons on two separate occasions, the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar inexplicably failed to attend the proceedings. Neither they nor any authorized representatives appeared on the scheduled dates. The Lok Ayukta sharply criticized this behavior, emphasizing that such actions from senior public officials erode public trust and fall short of the high standards of accountability demanded by their positions.
It’s important to note that the Lok Ayukta wields powers equivalent to a civil court when conducting investigations and trying cases under the Code of Civil Procedure. This means the agency possesses the authority to compel attendance from any individual and administer oaths during examinations, ensuring thorough and impartial inquiries.
The next hearing for this case has been scheduled for November 26.