Varsity, V-C Appa Rao not to blame for Vemula’s death: Probe panel report

NEW DELHI: An investigation committee that looked into the suicide of University of Hyderabad scholar Rohith Vemula has concluded that the administration and its vice-chancellor P Appa Rao cannot be held responsible for his death, according to sources in the HRD ministry.

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“The report has exonerated the authorities and the vice-chancellor,” the source said.

Vemula’s death in January led to a wave of protests against the NDA government and then HRD minister Smriti Irani. Protesters said the PhD scholar had been pushed to suicide by a suspension ordered by the V-C upon prodding from Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya.

The probe by former Allahabad HC judge Ashok Kumar Roopanwal has also reportedly raised questions about Vemula’s being a Dalit, sources said. The HRD ministry did not confirm that the report has been submitted and refused to comment on the issue. Roopanwal was expected to submit his report on August 1 but it was delayed over fears that it may derail the Parliament session.