The management of Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF) has allegedly connived with the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) for getting good ranking for the institute. It has allegedly paid about ₹50 lakh to the NAAC members and mediators for securing the same.
The NAAC, an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission (UGC), operates from Bengaluru through its general council and executive committee.
KLEF Deemed to be University, located at Vaddeswaram village in Guntur district, has allegedly colluded with the NAAC officials for getting re-accreditation for the period 2024-29.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested 10 persons, including KLEF staff and NAAC officials, on Saturday, said CBI Superintendent of Police Suhail Sharma, AC-III, New Delhi, who registered the case.
The CBI sleuths said that former NAAC deputy adviser L. Manjunatha Rao and Bangalore University Director M. Hanumanthappa allegedly settled the deal between the KLEF and NAAC officials.
The NAAC team’s chairman, adviser and member-coordinator allegedly agreed for a ₹1.80- crore deal. They allegedly revealed the names of the team members and assured to give good score to the university.
The college management allegedly agreed to pay ₹3 lakh to each member and offered a laptop. Besides, the university staff allegedly gave ₹25 lakh to the NAAC team, booked flight tickets and hotel rooms in Vijayawada, the CBI officials said.
Cases were registered against 14 persons under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)-2023 and Sections 7 to 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act-1988, and arrested the accused, the CBI officials said.
