Kerala University (KU) has decided to seek police assistance to recover a significant sum of money that was erroneously credited to the account of a Brazil-based journalist. The substantial payment was intended as remuneration for delivering online lectures but was mistakenly made in US dollars instead of Indian rupees.
Details of the Erroneous Transaction
The incident dates back to 2023 when the university's Centre for Latin American Studies organized a series of four online lectures. The speaker was Milan Sime Martinic, a US citizen and journalist based in Brazil. The agreed remuneration for his services was Rs 20,000.
However, due to a critical error, the university's bank transferred $20,000 (approximately Rs 17 lakh) to the account of Kathleen Martinic, the journalist's wife. University officials have attributed this massive discrepancy to an oversight by bank staff during the transaction process.
Failed Recovery Efforts and Subsequent Developments
Despite multiple attempts by the university to retrieve the funds, the efforts proved unsuccessful. Complicating the matter further, Milan Sime Martinic passed away in 2024. Although he had reportedly promised the centre head, Gireesh Kumar, to return the excess amount, the repayment never materialized.
This financial loss has directly impacted the allocated budget for the activities of the Latin American study centre. Vice-chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal has now instructed the in-charge registrar to formally seek a police investigation into the matter and to hand over all relevant documents and details to the authorities.
Internal Probe and External Demands
An internal syndicate subcommittee at Kerala University examined the issue and declared centre head Gireesh Kumar innocent of any wrongdoing. The committee recommended that the university pursue all necessary follow-up actions to recover the funds.
Meanwhile, the Save University Campaign Committee has intervened, calling for a vigilance investigation into the entire incident. They are demanding greater accountability and transparency in the university's financial dealings to prevent such costly errors in the future.
The case highlights the severe consequences of administrative and banking errors in academic institutions. Kerala University's move to involve the police underscores the seriousness with which it is treating this substantial financial loss.
