KOCHI: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has widened the net around former excise, fisheries and port minister K. Babu by extending the probe against him to Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean (KUFOS) where he held the position as pro-chancellor in his capacity as fisheries minister. The Vigilance as part of the quick verification against Mr Babu in various corruption cases has asked the KUFOS registrar to produce the documents relating to appointments and constructions in the university during the tenure of Mr Babu as pro-chancellor.
The letter sent by Mr P.R. Santhosh, Inspector of Police, VACB, to the registrar, KUFOS, has sought certified copies of the file connected with the appointment of teachers, especially S. Prameela and K. L. Blossom. The letter sent on September 29 has sought a report within seven days. The VACB has also sought the details of constructions held in the university cited in the audit report of Kerala State Audit Department for the year 2012-13 to 2013-14 and certified copies of the files connected with the construction.
The registrar has been asked to furnish a copy of the compliance report of Kerala State Audit Department for the year 2012-13 to 2013-14 and also report whether the compliance report has been accepted by the government. The registrar has also been asked to specify the role of the pro-chancellor in the construction and postings of the staff in the university.
The appointment of Registrar Dr V.M. Victor George is also understood to be under the VACB scanner. It is learnt that a faculty member of the university who was part of the recruitment process at the varsity was summoned to VACB office in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday as part of questioning while other officials from the varsity too are in line to be summoned and questioned.
KUFOS website hacked
The website of KUFOS was hacked on Monday night and slogans hailing Pakistan and its flags and scribbling in English and Urdu were posted mentioning Kashmir as well. It was not immediately known from where it was hacked. KUFOS VC Dr A. Ramachandran told DC that it was immediately blocked in the server and the Cyber Cell and City Police Commissioner were petitioned. The website will be restored after receiving directions from the police, he added.
