CBI Probe Uncovers ₹28 Lakh Bribery in NAAC Accreditation Scam

Academics from esteemed institutions are under the CBI scanner following allegations of bribery to manipulate National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading for an Andhra Pradesh-based deemed-to-be university.

As per an FIR filed in New Delhi, an initial bribe demand of ₹1.8 crore was later reduced through negotiations, with at least ₹28 lakh already exchanged. Among the 14 accused are JNU professor Rajeev Sijariya, who allegedly promised to draft the NAAC inspection report, Bangalore University’s Prof. M Hanumanthappa, and NAAC Bengaluru adviser M S Shyamasundar.

Sources revealed that Prof. Gayathri Devaraja from Davanagere University, a member of the inspection team, was taken into custody on Sunday. Authorities are also preparing to detain Hanumanthappa, while other suspects have been apprehended in Delhi and Andhra Pradesh.

The FIR states that Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF) in Guntur was allegedly asked to pay ₹1.8 crore for securing a score above 3.65 and an A++ grade. The bribes included ₹20 lakh for the report preparer and ₹3 lakh plus a laptop for each of the six inspectors.

Admitting to prior hints of such malpractices, NAAC executive committee chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe assured swift corrective measures. Meanwhile, Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor Jayakar Shetty confirmed that CBI had sealed Hanumanthappa’s office on campus after failing to locate him.

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