Udhagamadandalam principal suspended on charges of accepting bribes from students, says he’s being targeted

“The students had shot videos; there were audio recordings and transaction receipts as well which were sent to officials. It was also shared in the media but as evidence can be fake, I was directed to conduct an inquiry into this incident,” Kalaiselvi told indianexpress.com.

Antony took charge as the principal of the college this year. He has been accused of collecting bribes from students for admissions, for a place in the men’s hostel, as commission for providing canteen contracts etc. A video of Antony allegedly accepting cash from a student was also shared widely on social media and reported in regional media, prompting the government to act.

“The main complaint that was levelled by the students was that the principal had demanded an extra amount for group conversion. Usually in arts colleges, if the student is eligible, and if there is a vacancy, students are allowed to change groups. Here, the complaint is that the college principal had demanded an extra fee for that. I spoke to the students who were available at the time of inquiry and based on that, I sent a report,” Kalaiselvi added.

After Kalaiselvi submitted the report, the education department initiated action against Antony and another faculty member.

Antony denied the allegations levelled against him, blaming “internal politics” in the college. “I have 35 years of service. Throughout my career, I have been targeted and the latest suspension just adds to the list. These complaints are done with ulterior motives,” he alleged.

Antony alleged there were a few people in college who did not want him to stay in his post and manipulated the incidents to portray him in a bad light. “There is a video portraying that I accepted a bribe from a student for admission, which is false. Some students come from distant areas and do not pay fees on time. The college members do not agree to give them time to pay fees after the deadline but due to my experience, I know that there are provisions to extend the time. On that particular day, since the other nominated officials were not available, I collected the admission fee and kept it in the cupboard. It was later deposited in the bank but it is being manipulated as if I collected a bribe,” Antony said.

“The same goes with the canteen contact. I had called for a tender and no one turned up. So I gave the space to a few women of a self-help group I know but again it was said that I got commission…which is not true,” he added.

Antony further alleged that hostel admission falls under the purview of the Adi Dravidar and tribal welfare department and a principal has no say over it. He also claimed that though he cooperated with Kalaiselvi’s probe, he was not given a chance to explain his stand.

Antony said he will now approach the Directorate of Collegiate Education, Chennai and the higher education principal secretary to prove his innocence.