Kerala CM refutes Opposition Leader’s charges on Digital University Kerala, defends graphene project and audit procedures

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday (July 25, 2025) issued a strong rebuttal to allegations of financial irregularities and illegal activities at Digital University Kerala (DUK), raised by Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan.

In a detailed response, the Chief Minister termed the claims as “factually incorrect” and defended the State’s handling of the university’s operations and its flagship Graphene Aurora project.

Mr. Satheesan had earlier written to the Chief Minister demanding a Vigilance investigation into alleged corruption.

He alleged that the university violated statutory norms and had made unauthorised advance payments to a private company, India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC), which is involved in the Graphene Aurora programme. He also accused faculty members of misusing university infrastructure to float multiple private companies for project implementation, and that the university has not undergone any audit since its inception.

Rejecting these claims, Mr. Vijayan termed the allegation that no audits were conducted at DUK as baseless. “A statutory audit has been carried out. The audit for the financial year 2023–24 has been completed. The university has formally requested the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to undertake further audits. Further steps are awaited from the CAG,” the Chief Minister stated.

‘In line with policy, regulations’

Addressing the accusations regarding I-GEIC, he elaborated that the formation of the company was in line with the university’s declared policy and regulations. “The claim that advance payments were made illegally is false. The company was formed in compliance with the university’s statutes and with prior approval from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology,” he said.

Mr. Vijayan also defended the integrity of those involved in the management of I-GEIC. “The chairman of the company is M. Madhavan Nambiar, a former Secretary of Civil Aviation of the Government of India. Other key members include senior industry professionals formerly associated with Tata Group, such as M.A. Pathan and Kamesh Gupta, as well as Prof. Alex Thomas from the university.”

The Chief Minister went on to clarify that the university’s regulations encourage faculty entrepreneurial initiatives and support R&D through non-profit entities. Moreover, as a modern university, DUK is expected to generate funding for faculty and research projects independently. Misrepresenting these legitimate activities as corruption is a deliberate distortion, he added.

He also accused the Opposition of attempting to tarnish the reputation of transformative projects for “political gain.”