HYDERABAD: Sindh University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Fateh Mohammad Burfat on Sunday rejected findings of the inquiry conducted by an officer of the anti-corruption establishment (ACE) against him and his associates.

The inquiry report, finalised and submitted to the ACE chairman on Nov 16, claimed that corruption to the tune of Rs738.593 million had been resorted to in the university funds during 2017-18 alone. It recommended registration of an FIR against the VC, some teachers, officers and many other people for their involvement in the corruption.

On Sunday, a spokesman for the VC termed all the allegations baseless and mala fide and the inquiry team’s findings far from facts. He said the VC intended to move court against the ACE team.

In a statement, the spokesman said that [implicating him and the other people in the scam was] a deliberate move by those disgruntled elements who were not happy to see the university and Prof Burfat successful.

Regarding the allegation of bypassing authorised committees in taking decisions regarding contracts, appointments and expenditure, the spokesman said all decisions were taken through statutory bodies, including the syndicate, selection board, academic council, and competent forums.

The VC, through his spokesman, observed that he had all along been in favour of a fair, transparent and judicious inquiry by a non-controversial officer of undisputed reputation, and warned that no move motivated by certain individuals and elements with a purpose would be tolerated on any grounds whatsoever.

He observed that engineered attempts were afoot to terrify, harass and intimidate him and his officers. This was aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear among the faculty and officers. In some instances, such attempts were affecting their health and posing a threat to their life, he added. In such an eventuality, he said, he would move court against those individuals.

The VC urged the Sindh chief minister to take notice of the “media trial” to spare SU faculty, officers and him of the undeserved mental agony.

The inquiry was initiated under departmental directives after a group of SU teachers along with some civil society activists met the chief minister to apprise him of irregularities in the university’s affairs.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2018