The Karnataka High Court has stayed all further proceedings in the case against Infosys co-founder Senapathy Kris Gopalakrishnan and 17 faculty members of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The case was filed based on allegations by former professor D Sanna Durgappa, who claimed he was wrongfully dismissed from IISc and subjected to caste-based discrimination.
Justice SR Krishna Kumar issued the interim order on a petition filed by Kris and others seeking to quash the case. According to LiveLaw, the court said, “Accepting the reasons stated in the application duly filed along with memorandum of facts, I.A.No.1/2025 is allowed. In the meanwhile, all further proceedings/investigation in Crime No.17/2025 of Sadashivanagara Police Station and all further proceedings in P.C.R. No.1/2025 on the file of the LXX Addl. City Civil and Sessions Judge and Special Judge, Bengaluru, insofar as the petitioners are concerned, are hereby stayed till the next date of hearing.”
Among those named in the FIR are IISc faculty members, including Govindan Rangarajan, Sridhar Warrier, Sandya Vishwswaraih, Hari K V S, Dasappa, Balaram P, Hemalata Mhishi, Chattopadyaya K, Pradeep D Sawkar, and Manoharan. Durgappa has alleged that he was falsely implicated in a honey trap case in 2014, which led to his dismissal from IISc. He further claims he was subjected to caste-based abuse and threats during his tenure.
Kris, who has been the Chairman of the IISc Council since 2022, has denied the allegations, stating that a law meant to protect marginalised communities has been misused against him. He emphasised that IISc has clear policies ensuring fair and transparent investigations, which fall under the purview of the executive management.
In a statement, Kris said, “Yesterday, the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka stayed all further investigation and proceedings under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against me and others. As the matter is before the courts, I will not comment further. I have full faith in the judiciary and trust that justice will prevail.”
He added, “I have always believed in fairness, justice, and treating everyone with respect, regardless of their background. I am deeply saddened that a law meant to protect marginalized communities has been misused to make false allegations against me.”
Durgappa, the complainant, belongs to the Bovi community and previously worked at the Centre for Sustainable Technology at IISc. He has claimed that the alleged incidents took place between 2010 and 2020.