Kerala University Hit by ₹17 Lakh Loss After ₹20,000 Honorarium Mistakenly Sent as $20,000

A serious financial irregularity involving the transfer of USD 20,000 instead of the approved Rs 20,000 has surfaced at Kerala University, causing an estimated loss of Rs 17 lakh to the institution.

The alleged scam occurred at the university’s Latin American Studies Centre and is said to have remained undisclosed for nearly three years, prompting demands for a Vigilance inquiry, according to the Save University Campaign Committee here on Monday.

The issue came to light after it was found that an online lecture delivered by a foreign journalist, who reportedly had no recognised research degree or academic publications, was approved an honorarium of Rs 20,000.

However, instead of transferring the sanctioned amount (about USD 230), the university funds were used to remit USD 20,000 to a US citizen consultant through an American bank.

According to available details, the amount was released from funds allotted to the Latin American Studies Centre. The transaction was routed through State Bank of India, Kariavattom branch, via its Tejaswini branch at Technopark, and remitted through the Bank of America.

The centre is headed by Dr R. Girish Kumar, a professor of political science, who was appointed Director by the University Syndicate. It is alleged that the payment meant to be made in the name of the lecturer was instead transferred to a consultant, raising questions over compliance with university financial rules.

Dr Girish Kumar has reportedly stated that during a visit to Brazil in connection with student exchange activities, he personally met the consultant and arranged for the amount to be returned. However, even after two years, the money has not been credited back to the university account.

He has also informed the university that he personally paid the approved Rs 20,000 to the lecturer. The transfer of a large sum to a foreign national without prior university approval has been described as a serious procedural lapse.

A Syndicate sub-committee comprising advocate Muraleedharan Pillai, J. S. Shijukhan, and Dr S. Naseeb conducted a preliminary inquiry. Based on its findings, the committee recommended that the university carry out a further internal investigation and proposed that no immediate action be taken against Dr Girish Kumar.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal, however, rejected the sub-committee’s recommendation, stating that those responsible for the Rs 17 lakh loss must be identified and that legal steps should be initiated to recover the amount.

He also pointed out that keeping such a major financial loss concealed for nearly three years amounted to a grave lapse, described as unprecedented in the university’s history.

It has also been noted that Dr Girish Kumar, a former Syndicate member, is among the 58 faculty appointments made in 2020 that are currently under the Supreme Court’s consideration, following challenges alleging violations of constitutionally mandated reservation norms.

The Latin American Studies Centre, established to promote academic and cultural engagement between Kerala and Latin America, received a Rs 2 crore special project grant in the 2022–23 State Budget, sanctioned by Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal. Allegations have been raised that adequate seriousness was not shown in pursuing the recovery of the lost amount from this fund.

While the centre facilitated the sending of a few Kerala students to countries including Brazil under educational and cultural exchange programmes, it has been pointed out that no student from Latin America have enrolled at Kerala University so far.

The Save University Campaign Committee has submitted a memorandum to the Governor, demanding a Vigilance investigation into the alleged dollar transaction irregularity at the Latin American Studies Centre, citing the need for accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.