Anna University revaluation scam: Official, principal suspended

Chennai: The cash-for-marks scam at Anna University witnessed yet another turn today, as the premier higher education institution’s former Controller of Examination G V Uma was suspended from professor post today.

She along with nine other professors and examiners have been booked by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) for awarding marks in exchange for money during revaluation in 2017. It is said that Rs 400 crore was transacted in the past two years.

The announcement about Uma’s suspension was made even as the DVAC sleuths were conducting raids at Uma’s office in the varsity this morning.
Following this, Minister for Higher Education K P Anbalagan said departmental action will be initiated against the professor.

Earlier in the day, more than 50 students of Anna University were questioned in the marks-for-cash scam that was busted by the DVAC recently. The scam came to light on Wednesday. According to reports, 16,636 students ‘benefited’ through the revaluation work.

The DVAC, questioning the students, said doubts were raised after a student who got 24 marks originally, secured 94 marks after revaluation. The anti-corruption body found that Rs 10,000 had been paid for each paper that had to be re-valued.

But, Uma claimed that she had been framed in the case as she had been trying to bring about reforms in the examination system.

On Wednesday evening, Uma along with two Assistant Professors from the Anna University campus P Vijayakumar, Principal and R Sivakumar, were booked by the DVAC.

During the semester examinations held in 2017, Uma was the Controller of Examinations, while the other two were in responsible positions at the Tindivanam zone of the university.

A release from the DVAC, following the raids at the residences and offices of the three accused on Wednesday said several incriminating documents were seized during the search.