Sai University executive council member Sriram Panchu resigns over vice-chancellor’s sexual and academic misconduct

Senior Advocate, Madras High Court and Sai University Executive Council member Sriram Panchu on 26 May tendered his resignation to Sai University Chancellor KV Ramani after the university allegedly failed to investigate and take action against the university’s Vice-Chancellor Ajith Padath Abraham. Mr Panchu said there were “credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in the United States and academic misconduct” against the vice-chancellor.

Speaking to The Hindu over phone, Mr. Panchu confirmed that the allegations of minor sexual abuse and academic misconduct were serious and warranted “immediate and urgent investigation”.

“I resigned from the Executive Council. I sent my resignation on May 26 to the Chancellor of Sai University. I expressed serious concern about the allegations against the Vice-Chancellor. I said that it required an immediate and urgent investigation by someone who held a high judicial office. I resigned on May 26 because no such independent review and no such independent assessment was set. Actions were taken, I had no choice but to to resign, I resigned with sadness because Ramani is a good friend,” Mr. Panchu said.

Mr Panchu said his legal team had personally reviewed the material in his possession and concluded it required immediate action.

He added, “All the Sai administration had to do was write to Ajit Abraham University of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma police to verify/confirm the details. They didn’t.”

While some former and current employees have leveled allegations against the university and the vice-chancellor using anonymous emails and various social media platforms, the university’s administration said it has lodged a formal complaint with the Tamil Nadu Cybercrime Police against the defamatory posts, which it believes are “baseless and false”, and that the chancellor has “commissioned an independent review by an esteemed member of the judiciary. of the issues” allegedly developing.

The VC denies the accusation

Vice Chancellor Prof. Abraham rejected the allegations of his arrest and the reports of his subsequent plea agreement in the United States, saying: “It was a coordinated effort by some private individuals who tried to portray me in a highly negative and misleading manner, including claims that were completely unfounded. I never took part in any such conversations or meetings, I was never charged with any of the first charges or meetings. An online publication run by students 22 years ago and subsequently disseminated by various media without adequate verification of the basic facts.”

Sai University further said that it recently conducted a formal criminal and police record check and the search confirmed that no criminal or police records were found in relation to the Vice-Chancellor.

Prof. Abraham went on to add, “At no time have I entered into any agreement, business, or arrangement that would require me to leave the United States. In fact, I owned a home in the United States until 2010. As evidenced by my passport records, I have traveled to and from the United States on numerous occasions without encountering any immigration-related issues. Additionally, no special immigrant visas were issued in 2016, I affecting my eligibility to enter the country.”

Published – 13 Jun 2026 01:03 IST