Pachaiyappa’s College suspends a faculty member

Chennai: Pachaiyappa's College has suspended R Saravanan, a faculty member from history department on graft charges by another faculty member from the same department.According to the suspension order, K Vengatesan, an assistant professor from the same department, alleged that Saravanan demanded a bribe amounting to 20lakhs for getting qualification approval from the University of Madras and the Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education for appointment approval. The complainant also alleged that he was threatened by Saravaran that he would lose his job and cannot work peacefully in the department. C Duraikannu, secretary of Pachaiyappa's Trust Board, in his Oct 24 order said the reply furnished by Saravanan appears to be a formal and cursory denial."Hence on the recommendation of the college committee of Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai, on perusal of explanation of R Saravanan found not satisfactory, as per the provisions of Tamil Nadu Private Colleges (Regulation), Act and Rules 1976, you are placed under suspension with immediate effect. The allegations against the individual if proved during the inquiry is a gross misconduct warranting disciplinary action," he said in the order. Speaking to TOI, Saravanan said it is vindictive action by the college. "They have to form a proper inquiry committee and can suspend if the allegations are proved. This is legally not correct," he said.