Tamil Nadu govt orders inquiry against Anna University V-C over ‘irregularities’

Surappa triggered a row when he introduced Bhagavad Gita as an optional paper in one of the technical streams.

M K Surappa (File Photo)

The Tamil Nadu government Friday ordered an inquiry against Anna University Vice-Chancellor M K Surappa following complaints of financial irregularities, and malpractices in semester examinations and re-evaluation.

The probe is to be headed by retired high court judge Justice P Kalaiyarasan and will be carried out under provisions of Anna University Act, 1978.

The V-C confirmed that he had received a letter from the government in this regard. “These are beyond my imagination. No comments,” he said.

According to the government order, the “allegations are serious in nature” and the report should be ready within three months. The probe, the order said, will include functioning of the university, temporary appointments and recruitments made in academic and administrative sides and the revenue earned during Surappa’s tenure.

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The probe was ordered based on complaints by A Suresh, C Varadharajan, Selladurai of Save Anna University forum and R Adhikesavan.

Surappa, former director of IIT Ropar and honorary professor at IISc Bangalore, was appointed directly by Raj Bhawan. The appointment of a non-Tamil V-C—Surappa hails from Karnataka—was criticised by some political parties.

Surappa triggered a row when he introduced Bhagavad Gita as an optional paper in one of the technical streams.

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Last month, the state government publicly criticised Surappa for applying for the Institution of Eminence (IoE) tag. While the government’s stand was that it would affect the 69 per cent reservation in the state, it was also miffed that the V-C did not consult the state government before applying for the status.

Arun Janardhanan

Arun Janardhanan is an experienced and authoritative Tamil Nadu correspondent for The Indian Express. Based in the state, his reporting combines ground-level access with long-form clarity, offering readers a nuanced understanding of South India’s political, judicial, and cultural life - work that reflects both depth of expertise and sustained authority. Expertise Geographic Focus: As Tamil Nadu Correspondent focused on politics, crime, faith and disputes, Janardhanan has been also reporting extensively on Sri Lanka, producing a decade-long body of work on its elections, governance, and the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings through detailed stories and interviews. Key Coverage Areas: State Politics and Governance: Close reporting on the DMK and AIADMK, the emergence of new political actors such as actor Vijay’s TVK, internal party churn, Centre–State tensions, and the role of the Governor. Legal and Judicial Affairs: Consistent coverage of the Madras High Court, including religion-linked disputes and cases involving state authority and civil liberties. Investigations: Deep-dive series on landmark cases and unresolved questions, including the Tirupati encounter and the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, alongside multiple investigative series from Tamil Nadu. Culture, Society, and Crisis: Reporting on cultural organisations, language debates, and disaster coverage—from cyclones to prolonged monsoon emergencies—anchored in on-the-ground detail. His reporting has been recognised with the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism. Beyond journalism, Janardhanan is also a screenwriter; his Malayalam feature film Aarkkariyam was released in 2021. ... Read More