Hyderabad: Alleged irregularities in the award of a security contract worth more than ₹5 crore at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad, have reached the Telangana High Court, with a research scholar seeking an investigation into the tender process and alleged misuse of university funds.
Javvaji Dileep, founder-president of the Students Protection Forum, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) against the alleged nomination-based award of the contract to B Secure Protection and Guarding Private Limited. The case was registered on Friday.
Earlier, in a complaint dated November 4 to the Director General of the vigilance and enforcement department, Dileep had alleged that two security tenders floated through the state’s e-procurement platform were cancelled at the final stage. He alleged that the contract was subsequently awarded to the private agency on nomination basis, without open competitive bidding or prior approval of the executive council, despite its estimated value exceeding ₹5 crore. He also alleged that the chief engineer was removed from the post after opposing the decision.
Dileep said he had also approached the Telangana High Court. The case history record confirmed the filing of the PIL.
“The university’s money is being treated as though it belongs to individuals,” the student leader told Deccan Chronicle, alleging that work orders were being altered to cover up irregularities. He claimed orders initially issued for one year were changed to three months and alleged that security guards were being asked to pay ₹1,270 for uniforms, ₹450 for shoes and ₹5,000 as security deposit.
The complaint also sought scrutiny of the Vice Chancellor’s decisions over the past 18 months, including MoUs, third-party consultants’ remuneration, foreign travel advances, college inspections, ratifications and contractors’ bills. It raised allegations over payments of ₹80,000 for temporary golf club membership from university funds and ₹8 lakh towards permanent membership through an MoU consultant.
Dileep has sought a vigilance or Anti-Corruption Bureau inquiry, action against officials found responsible, recovery of any misused funds and blacklisting of the agency.
Responding to the allegations, the JNTU management said the university had followed the procedures in force while awarding the contract. It also denied that the chief engineer had been removed in connection with the issue, saying appointments to posts were made regularly and the change was part of the routine process.
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