Bengaluru: Doctorates for money scam - Police take up suo motu case
The invite sent to Mr Kumar also mentions that several ministers from the state government too would participate in the April 29 event.
Bengaluru: Former law minister and senior BJP leader S. Suresh Kumar has revealed that an honorary doctorate was offered to him for money by the Victoria Global University, Turks and Calcos Island (UK Overseas Territory). The local police on Monday registered a suo motu case and started an investigation into the doctorate for money controversy and are trying to trace the local authorities of the university.
Last Friday, Mr Suresh Kumar received a letter from the local authorities of the university, saying that he had been selected for the honorary doctorate, and he had to pay Rs 1.75 lakh for the degree. It stated that the doctorate would be conferred on him on April 29 at an event in the city where DG&IGP R.K. Dutta would be the guest of honour.
Mr Kumar immediately alerted Mr Dutta and met him on Monday. After the meeting, Mr Kumar told Deccan Chronicle that Mr Dutta was taken aback that his name was being used openly to peddle the convocation. “He immediately contacted City Police Commissioner Praveen Sood and discussed the issue,” he said.
The invite sent to Mr Kumar also mentions that several ministers from the state government too would participate in the April 29 event.“We are taking the issue very seriously,” said an officer from the state higher education department.
Doctorate mafia
But the academics in the city are not surprised and said that it is not an isolated incident. “Selling honorary doctorates has become a full-time business for a few people in Bengaluru. Every month, they host convocations of universities from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, USA and other countries, and honour selected people with awards. Of course, these are paid awards. Finally, someone has raised a voice,” said a well-known academic, who wished not to be identified.