Wed Mar 12 09:56:19 UTC 2025: ## Former Bharathiar University Officials Accused of ₹8 Lakh Corruption in Desktop Purchases

**Coimbatore, March 12, 2025** – The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has filed a corruption case against 16 individuals, including a former Vice-Chancellor and Finance Officer of Bharathiar University, for allegedly causing a loss of ₹8,01,581 in the purchase of desktop computers in 2016-17.

The case alleges that the university violated procurement norms by purchasing 61 desktops at exorbitant prices from a private firm, M/s I Care, despite established rules prioritizing purchases from government-controlled entities. The purchase committee, which included several of the accused, bypassed these rules, leading to significantly inflated costs. Specifically, 41 desktops cost ₹11,463 more per unit than those available through ELCOT, a government agency, resulting in a loss of ₹5,71,241. A separate purchase of 20 desktops for the Statistics Department also resulted in an inflated cost of ₹2,30,340.

Among those charged are former Vice-Chancellor A. Ganapathy (second accused), former Finance Officer P. Velusamy (prime accused), and several other former university officials, including registrars, syndicate members, and professors. The owner of M/s I Care and another private firm, Micro Systems, are also named as accused.

The DVAC registered the case on February 20, 2025, under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, alleging conspiracy and fraud. The investigation focuses on the alleged collusion to violate procurement regulations and benefit the private firms.

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