Kris Gopalakrishnan, 17 IISc members face charges under SC/ST act over dismissal case

Infosys co-founder Senapathy Kris Gopalakrishnan and 17 members of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have been booked under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The charges stem from a complaint filed by Professor D. Sanna Durgappa, who alleges wrongful dismissal from service and caste-based abuse.

Durgappa, formerly with the Centre for Sustainable Technologies at IISc, filed his complaint in Bengaluru’s 71st city civil and sessions court. Acting on his plea, the court directed the Sadashivanagar police to register a case and begin an investigation.

The case, officially registered on 27 January, centers around events from 2014 when Durgappa was dismissed from his position. He claims his termination was linked to a fabricated honey trap case and alleges he faced casteist abuse from the accused. Durgappa, a member of Karnataka’s Bovi community, classified as a Scheduled Caste, has sought justice under the SC/ST Act.

Among those named in the case are Kris Gopalakrishnan, a prominent member of the IISc board of trustees and former CEO and managing director of Infosys, along with current IISc director Govindan Rangarajan, former director Balaram P., and faculty members Sandya Vishwswaraih, Hari K.V.S., Dasappa, Hemalata Mhishi, and others.

The allegations have ignited a heated debate on social media. Critics have called attention to systemic casteism in academic and corporate institutions, while others argue the case may be an abuse of the SC/ST Act.

As of now, none of the accused have commented on the allegations, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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