A high-profile legal case has surfaced involving Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan and former Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Director Padmanabhan Balaram. Along with 16 others, the two have been named in a complaint filed under the Prevention of SC/ST Atrocities Act. The case has attracted widespread attention due to the prominent figures involved and the serious nature of the allegations.
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Case Overview
The case was registered at Bengaluru’s Sadashiva Nagar Police Station following directives from the 71st City Civil and Sessions Court (CCH). The complainant, Durgappa, a member of the tribal Bovi community and a former faculty member at the Centre for Sustainable Technology, IISc, accused the individuals of caste-based abuse, threats, and wrongful dismissal.
Durgappa claims he was falsely implicated in a honey trap case, which led to his termination from IISc in 2014. He alleges that he was subjected to casteist abuse and threats during his tenure, which severely impacted his professional and personal life.
Accused Individuals
The list of accused includes notable names such as:
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Kris Gopalakrishnan – Infosys co-founder and IISc Board of Trustees member.
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Padmanabhan Balaram – Former IISc Director.
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Govindan Rangarajan
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Sridhar Warrier
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Sandya Vishwswaraih
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Hari K V S
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Dasappa
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Hemalata Mhishi
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Chattopadyaya K
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Pradeep D Sawkar
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Manoharan
As of now, there has been no official response from Kris Gopalakrishnan, IISc faculty, or the other accused individuals regarding the allegations.
About Kris Gopalakrishnan
Kris Gopalakrishnan is a prominent figure in the Indian IT industry and one of the co-founders of Infosys. He served as:
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Vice Chairman of Infosys (2011-2014).
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CEO and Managing Director (2007-2011).
Achievements and Honors:
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Padma Bhushan Awardee: In January 2011, Gopalakrishnan was honored with India’s third-highest civilian award.
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Industry Leadership: Served as President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2013-14 and co-chaired the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2014.
Academic Background:
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Gopalakrishnan holds master’s degrees in Physics and Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras.
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He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers (INAE) and an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE) of India.
Legal and Social Implications
The involvement of high-profile individuals like Gopalakrishnan and Balaram in such a case raises several legal and social questions:
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Accountability of Institutions: The allegations highlight the need for greater oversight and accountability in prestigious institutions like IISc.
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Caste-Based Discrimination: The case brings to light persistent issues of caste-based discrimination in academic and professional environments.
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Judicial Oversight: The decision of the City Civil and Sessions Court to direct the filing of the case emphasizes the judiciary's role in ensuring justice for marginalized communities.
The case against Kris Gopalakrishnan, Padmanabhan Balaram, and others under the SC/ST Atrocities Act is a significant development, drawing attention to caste discrimination and abuse of power in elite institutions. As the legal process unfolds, it will be closely monitored for its impact on institutional practices, social justice, and the accountability of prominent figures.
With inputs from agencies
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