Three Rani Channamma University officials arrested in ₹32-lakh PF, NPS fraud

Belagavi police have arrested three officials of Rani Channamma University (RCU) in connection with the alleged misappropriation of more than ₹32 lakh from employees' Provident Fund (PF) and National Pension System (NPS) contributions.

The arrested are Assistant Registrar H.M. Murigesh, First Division Assistant Sandeep Burli and Mahesh Viresh Wali. A fourth accused, Ramu Hanchinal, is absconding, and police sources said he is currently employed at Bagalkot University. Efforts are on to trace and apprehend him.

The case follows a complaint lodged by university authorities after an internal inquiry. According to the complaint, PF amounts deducted from the salaries of employees appointed under the consolidated-pay system were not deposited into their accounts. The funds were allegedly diverted instead to personal bank accounts and NPS accounts linked to the accused.

Under the applicable arrangement, 10% of an employee's salary was deducted as their contribution, with the university required to make an equal contribution. The complaint alleges that sums exceeding the prescribed contribution were routed to accounts linked to the accused.

Irregularities have also been alleged in transactions involving various allowances and income-tax payments, causing financial losses to both the university and its employees.

The complaint was filed at the Kakati police station on September 8, after which officers began probing the alleged irregularities. The three arrested officials were reportedly taken into custody from the Varur area near Hubballi and produced before a court, which remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody.

Police Commissioner Prakash Nikam told reporters that investigators had gathered sufficient evidence against the accused to justify the arrests. The investigation is continuing, with officials examining financial records, documents and transactions to establish the full extent of the alleged misappropriation.