Exclusive: How KLEF Masterminded NAAC Bribery – Insider Details You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

In an exclusive exposé, insider sources reveal the shocking extent of corruption within India's premier accreditation body, NAAC. This detailed account uncovers how Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF) officials orchestrated a bribery scheme involving cash, gold, and laptops to secure a favorable A++ grade. With access to confidential details, this report sheds light on the intricate planning, high-stakes negotiations, and corrupt practices that have undermined the credibility of India’s higher education system.

KL University has NAAC A++ and Ranked in NIRF. Seems fishy now?

This is a story you won’t find in mainstream news – a deep dive into the systemic flaws that enable such unethical conspiracies.

Chronology of Events that lead to Arrests:

1. Preparation for Re-Accreditation:

2024: Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF), led by Sh. Koneru Satyanarayana (President, KLEF), is due for re-accreditation for 2024–2029.

2. Planning and Initiation:

Late 2024: Sh. Koneru Satyanarayana (President, KLEF) and Sh. G. P. Saradhi Varma (Vice-Chancellor, KLEF), with assistance from Dr. L. Manjunatha Rao (Ex-Deputy Adviser, NAAC) and Sh. M. Hanumanthappa (Professor & Director, IQAC-NAAC, Bangalore University), conspire to manipulate the NAAC process by planting favorable committee members.

Insider discussions begin to plant corrupt officials who would guarantee a favorable report.

3. Formation of Inspection Team:

January 2025: Sh. M. Hanumanthappa (Professor & Director, IQAC-NAAC, Bangalore University) shares the inspection team details with Sh. G. P. Saradhi Varma (Vice-Chancellor, KLEF) before the official announcement.

NAAC Inspection Team Composition Fixed as Follows:

• Sh. Samarendra Nath Saha (Chairman, NAAC Inspection Committee)

• Sh. Rajeev Sijariya (Professor, JNU, and Coordinator)

• Five other members, including Dr. D. Gopal and Ms. Gayathri Devaraja.

4. First Meeting with Bribes:

18–19 January 2025: Sh. M. Hanumanthappa (Professor, IQAC-NAAC) and Dr. L. Manjunatha Rao (Ex-Deputy Adviser, NAAC) visit Vijayawada, meet KLEF officials, and accept ₹10 lakh in bribes.

5. Contacting Team Members:

22 January 2025: Dr. D. Gopal (Dean, Bharath Institute of Law, NAAC Member) contacts Sh. G. P. Saradhi Varma (Vice-Chancellor, KLEF), discloses details about the inspection team and their hotel details, and demands personal travel expenses including wife's travel expenses.

6. Negotiating Larger Bribes:

24 January 2025: Sh. A. Ramakrishna (Director, KL University, Hyderabad Campus) introduces KLEF officials to Sh. Rajeev Sijariya (Professor, JNU & NAAC Coordinator), who demands ₹1.8 crores for a favorable report.

7. Second Negotiation:

25 January 2025: Sh. Koneru Raja Hareen (Vice-President, KLEF) and Sh. A. Ramakrishna (Director, KL University) negotiate bribes down to ₹3 lakhs per team member and ₹10 lakhs for Sh. Rajeev Sijariya (Professor, JNU).

8. Favorable Draft Report:

26 January 2025: Sh. Rajeev Sijariya (Professor, JNU) receives bribes at his residence and shares the draft favorable inspection report.

9. Distribution of Bribes:

27 January 2025: Bribes of ₹3 lakhs and laptops are distributed to NAAC members, with ₹10 lakhs to Sh. Samarendra Nath Saha (Vice-Chancellor, Ramchandra Chandravansi University & NAAC Chairman).

10. Demand for Gold Conversion:

29 January 2025: Sh. Samarendra Nath Saha (NAAC Chairman) requests 75% of his bribe in gold for easy transport.

Bribes are delivered in envelopes. Final negotiations with Sh. Rajeev Sijariya settle on ₹15 lakhs, laptops, and mobile phones.

11. Final Payments and Confirmation:

30 January 2025: Bribes are delivered to all members, including gold for Ms. Gayathri Devaraja (Professor, Davangere University).

12. Investigation and Arrests:

February 2025: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registers a case and arrests key accused.

Whistleblowers and insider tips lead to a CBI investigation.

Key Actors in the Scandal

1. Sh. Koneru Satyanarayana: President, KLEF; main conspirator.

2. Sh. G. P. Saradhi Varma: Vice-Chancellor, KLEF; operational head of bribery.

3. Sh. Koneru Raja Hareen: Vice-President, KLEF; involved in negotiations.

4. Sh. A. Ramakrishna: Director, KL University; facilitator for coordination with NAAC.

5. Dr. L. Manjunatha Rao: Ex-Deputy Adviser, NAAC; insider providing team details.

6. Sh. M. Hanumanthappa: Professor, IQAC-NAAC; brokered early bribes.

7. Sh. M. S. Shyamsundar: Advisor, NAAC; shared information for favor.

8. Sh. Rajeev Sijariya: Professor, JNU & NAAC Coordinator; demanded highest bribes and prepared the favorable report.

9. Sh. Samarendra Nath Saha: Vice-Chancellor, Ramchandra Chandravansi University & NAAC Chairman; accepted bribes in gold.

10. Dr. D. Gopal: Dean, Bharath Institute of Law; acted as intermediary.

11. Ms. Gayathri Devaraja: Professor, Davangere University; accepted gold bribes.

12. Other NAAC Team Members: Accepted bribes of ₹3 lakhs each.

This is the tip of the iceberg, revealing systemic corruption in higher education accreditation. But the real masterminds? They are still in shadows. Other influential officials, intermediaries, and private entities facilitating corruption remain unidentified. The case exposes deep-rooted collusion between academia and accreditation bodies.

Next Steps by CBI

1. Expanding the Investigation: Identify other universities involved in similar accreditation manipulation. Trace financial trails to uncover higher-level beneficiaries.

2. Questioning NAAC Officials: Investigate the extent of corruption within NAAC's leadership.

3. Systemic Reforms: Recommend changes in accreditation processes to minimize human involvement and reduce corruption opportunities.

4. Legal Action: Pursue stringent legal action against all accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

This scandal will damage the credibility of NAAC and Indian higher education on a global scale. The government may need to revamp accreditation frameworks. Students and global universities may question the integrity of Indian accreditation standards.

This scandal is set to blow out of proportion, impacting the reputation and functioning of India's higher education system and prompting widespread demands for accountability and reform.

---

Thanks for diving into this article! If it sparked some ideas or gave you value, why not take the next step?

• Know More about me: Click here 

• Know more about my work: Click here

• Subscribe to my website for more thought-provoking content and resources: www.deepeshdivakaran.com/subscribe

• Buy my highly acclaimed book on Outcome Based Education, now used by 1000+ Institutes: Buy It Here at Special Author Price

• Follow my NEP 2020 newsletter for exclusive insights into education reform: Subscribe Here

• Download my free NEP 2020 Guides for in-depth insights into education policy: Download Now

• Want to have a conversation or ask a question? You can call me or WhatsApp me directly at +91 8086015111.

• Prefer email? Drop me a line at mail@deepeshdivakaran.com.

  
  

Your thoughts and feedback are always appreciated. Let's shape the future of education together!

Stay Inspired, Stay Informed.