Experts call for further probe into research plagiarism

BANGALORE: Even as Bangalore University has been rocked by the case of alleged plagiarism of a research thesis involving an assistant professor, an expert committee constituted to probe the issue, has reportedly established a preliminary case of plagiarism but has called for a further probe.
Assistant professor of sociology, B.C. Mylarappa (Chikkamelurappa), has been accused of guiding his research candidate Venkataramanappa to plagiarise his thesis.After the allegations rocked the university and reached Governor T.N.Chaturvedi, the university syndicate set up an expert probe committee.
Venkataramanappa received his doctorate for the thesis at the Bangalore University convocation sometime back.
The three-member expert committee recently submitted a report establishing a case of plagiarism but has sought a further probe of the guide and the candidate.
“In the absence of such a probe, the committee feels the report is incomplete. According to the committee, the photographs published in the guide’s (Mylarappa) book and the candidate’s theses and the historical setting and topic/theoretical background are also the same. The committee says a preliminary case of plagiarism can be established but needs a further probe,’’ officials said.
Interestingly, the constitution of the expert committee followed a move to induct Mylarappa as professor by filling up a backlog vacancy.
Two faculty members of the same department and academic council member L. Vasudeva Murthy petitioned the governor against it.
University officials said the report would be submitted to the syndicate at its next meeting on April 22. “It is then left to the syndicate to decide whether it will subject the guide and the candidate for a further probe or action would be taken based on the preliminary report. There is no question of shielding anyone and a decision will soon be taken,’’ officials maintained.
Incidentally, adding another twist to the tale are allegations that several portions of Mylarappa’s book ‘Agricultural Labour — A Sociological Study’, find similarities with other sources — ‘Changing Agrarian Structure and Labour Relations’ by G. Sathyanarayana and published by Rawath Publications, Jaipur in 1992; ‘The Agrarian Prospects in India’ authored by Daniel Thorner and published by Elite Publishers, New Delhi; and the ‘District Census Handbook — Kolar DIstrict Series 9, Karnataka Parts XIII A and B village and town directory’.
However, university officials have chosen to remain mum on these allegations.
“We are restricting our probe to allegations of Mylarappa guiding Venkataramanappa to plagiarise,’’ they added.
‘‘The committee feels the report is incomplete.
The photos published in Mylarappa’s book and candidate’s theses and the historical setting and topic/theoretical background are also the same. The panel feels a preliminary case of plagiarism can be established but needs further inquiry’’