Vigilance seeks state permission over FIR

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand vigilance department has sought the state government’s permission to register the first information report (FIR) in connection with alleged illegal appointments and financial irregularities at the Uttarakhand Ayurved University, a senior official in the know of the matter said on Monday.

Confirming the development, deputy superintendent of police, vigilance headquarters, SS Samant said, “We have sought permission from the state government for registration of the FIR after we found evidence of financial irregularities at the Uttarakhand Ayurved University in our open inquiry.”

“After we get the approval, the FIR will be registered and further action will be taken,” he added. The matter pertains to the alleged irregularities found in multiple departments of the university related to recruitment, misuse of power, finance, kickbacks, and procurement, according to officials.

In August last year, a vigilance team had seized documents pertaining to the open inquiry into allegations of illegal appointments and financial irregularities at the university.

The vigilance department conducted the inquiry following an order from the state government in May last year.

Earlier, in April, the state government had formed a fourmember committee to probe the matter.

The panel headed by additional secretary personnel S S Valdiya was asked to probe the charges of illegal appointments and financial irregularities made against the university since 2017 and submit its report within 15 days.

Additional secretary, finance, Amita Joshi; joint director, Ayurvedic, and Unani Krishna Singh Napalchyal and audit officer Rajat Mehra were the members of the committee.

However, considering the seriousness of the allegations, the Uttarakhand government subsequently asked the vigilance department to look into the matter.

PROBE FOUND IRREGULARITIES IN MULTIPLE VARISTY DEPARTMENTS RELATED TO RECRUITMENT, MISUSE OF POWER AND FINANCE