The police have arrested three officials of Rani Channamma University in Belagavi in connection with an alleged financial irregularity exceeding 32 lakh rupees involving employees’ Provident Fund and National Pension System contributions. The arrested individuals have been identified as Assistant Registrar H.M. Murigesh, First Division Assistant Sandeep Burli, and Mahesh Viresh Wali. A fourth accused, Ramu Hanchinal, is currently absconding, and search operations are underway to locate him. The police initiated the action after the university administration lodged a formal complaint following an internal inquiry into the discrepancies.
Systematic diversion of salary deductions and contributions
According to the complaint, the alleged malpractice centered on funds deducted from the salaries of personnel hired under the consolidated-pay system. While a mandatory 10 percent deduction was made from the salaries of these workers, matched by an equal contribution from the university, the amounts were never credited to the employees’ legitimate accounts. Investigators state that the deducted sums, along with amounts exceeding the mandated contribution levels, were systematically redirected into personal bank accounts and NPS accounts associated with the accused officials.
Scope expands to allowances and income-tax deductions
The internal inquiry revealed that the irregularities went beyond statutory retirement savings to include financial transactions related to employee allowances and income-tax deposits. These unauthorized fund transfers caused substantial financial harm to both the university and its staff. Based on these findings, an official complaint was registered at the Kakati police station on September 8. Police teams subsequently tracked down Murigesh, Burli, and Wali, arresting them from the Varur area near Hubballi. The trio was presented before a local court, which remanded them in judicial custody for 14 days.
Audit under way as police trace fourth accused
Belagavi Police Commissioner Prakash Nikam confirmed that investigators have obtained adequate evidence to initiate legal proceedings against the accused. Special teams are currently examining the university’s internal ledgers, salary registers, banking transactions, and pension accounts to identify the precise points at which funds were siphoned off. Meanwhile, efforts are continuing to apprehend Ramu Hanchinal, who is presently working at Bagalkot University, as authorities work to establish his exact role in the misappropriation scheme.
Follow for daily updates on cybercrime, corporate fraud, DFIR, hacking, investigations, and digital forensics
