Thu Apr 24 15:06:32 UTC 2025: ## Periyar University Vice-Chancellor Summoned Amidst Ongoing Legal Battle

**Salem, Tamil Nadu, April 24, 2025** – The Salem City Police have summoned Periyar University Vice-Chancellor R. Jagannathan to appear for questioning on Friday. This summons comes on the same day a two-day Vice-Chancellors’ conference, inaugurated by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and presided over by Governor R.N. Ravi, begins in Ooty.

The summons is related to a complaint filed in December 2023 by I. Elangovan, legal advisor of the Periyar University Employees Union. Elangovan accused Jagannathan, along with other university officials, of establishing a private company, Periyar University Technology Entrepreneurship and Research (PUTER) Foundation, using university funds. He also alleged that the Vice-Chancellor made casteist remarks against him.

Following the complaint, Jagannathan was arrested and later released on bail. While the Madras High Court refused to quash the FIR in April, a ruling on the cancellation of his bail is pending. Police sources, speaking anonymously, stated that the summons is in accordance with the High Court’s directive to complete the investigation within 12 weeks and denied any political motivation. The Vice-Chancellor was unavailable for comment.

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