Mon Oct 13 14:54:58 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article rewritten based on it:
**Summary:**
The Karnataka High Court has ordered a financial audit of the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, by the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) of Karnataka, covering the period from 2018 to 2025. This order comes after the court found that an ineligible person had been acting as the in-charge Comptroller of the university for seven years, raising concerns about potential financial irregularities. The court criticized the appointment process, highlighting that the individual did not meet the qualifications specified in the UAS Act and that proper procedures for appointment were not followed. The court also noted the prolonged in-charge status, exceeding the permissible six-month limit, and suggested the Vice-Chancellor might have been complicit in the irregular appointment. The audit is intended to investigate potential financial mismanagement during this period.
**News Article:**
**Karnataka High Court Orders Audit of Agricultural University Over Irregular Appointment**
**Bengaluru, October 13, 2025** – The Karnataka High Court has directed the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) of Karnataka to conduct a comprehensive financial audit of the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, spanning from 2018 to 2025. The order was issued on Monday amidst concerns that an unqualified individual held the position of in-charge Comptroller for an extended period.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj, presiding over the case, dismissed a petition filed by Shivaputra M. Honnali, the in-charge Comptroller, who challenged the state government’s decision to appoint a new officer to the position. The court expressed serious reservations about Honnali’s seven-year tenure, deeming it “suspicious” and lacking in “confidence.”
The court highlighted that Honnali did not meet the statutory requirements for the role, as he was not a Joint Comptroller of the State Accounts Department or an officer of the rank of Deputy Accountant-General of Audit and Accounts. Furthermore, the appointment process was deemed flawed, as a panel of eligible candidates was not presented to the University’s Board of Management (BoM), nor was Honnali’s name properly approved.
“It is not permissible for the Vice-Chancellor to appoint a Comptroller in such a manner as done,” stated Justice Govindaraj, emphasizing the importance of the Comptroller’s role in managing the university’s finances. The court observed that the in-charge arrangement exceeded the permissible six-month limit and suggested potential involvement of the Vice-Chancellor in the irregular appointment.
The ordered audit aims to determine if any financial mismanagement occurred during Honnali’s tenure. The CAG is expected to submit a detailed report, and appropriate legal action will be taken if any irregularities are uncovered. This decision underscores the High Court’s commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in the state’s educational institutions.
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