The probe ordered by the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of Universities, follows the allegations of bribery and corruption against the former registrar (admin) of Karnataka State Open University.
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Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has appointed a one-man fact-finding committee headed by retired Karnataka High Court judge B.A. Patil to probe the charges of corruption in Karnataka State Open University (KSOU).
The probe ordered by the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of Universities, follows the allegations of bribery and corruption against the former registrar (admin) of KSOU. This had led to a protest by the university’s employees in March last year.
The terms of reference for the probe, as per a notification dated January 30, 2026, issued by the Governor’s Secretariat, includes appointment of temporary teaching and non-teaching staff for more than the sanctioned posts, besides the change in designations.
The terms also include opening of unnecessary regional centres and appointment of temporary directors for the regional centres, apart from the creation of posts without the approval of the State government and the Board of Management.
Permissions given to open private study centres and a deposit of ₹1.71 lakh to the Virtual Education Trust, New Delhi, also figure in the terms of reference.
‘Report in one month’
The one-man fact-finding committee has been asked to inquire into the issues listed in the terms of reference and any other issues related to or arising during the course of inquiry and submit the report within one month.
It may be mentioned here that the allegations of corruption and the protest in March 2025, which appeared in the media, were discussed in the Legislative Assembly.
The Additional Chief Secretary to the State government’s Department of Education (Higher Education) had directed Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) vice-chairperson S.R. Niranjana to inquire into the allegations by visiting the university in person to collect the material evidence.
The report of the preliminary inspection conducted by the vice-chairperson to ascertain facts observed “serious lapses”.
Based on the recommendation of the report, the State government had sought the approval from the Governor to constitute an inquiry committee headed by a retired High Court judge to conduct a probe under Section 8 of the KSOU Act 1992.
The Governor has also directed the registrar of KSOU to provide secretarial assistance, office, transport and accommodation for the fact-finding committee.
Published – February 04, 2026 06:53 pm IST
