After IIM Bengaluru, IISc Faces Caste Discrimination Allegations: What’s the Complaint Against Infosys Co-founder and 17 Professors?

Bengaluru- In yet another case of alleged caste-based discrimination in prestigious Indian institutions, an FIR has been lodged against Infosys co-founder Senapathy Kris Gopalakrishnan and 17 faculty members from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

This comes on the heels of a similar FIR filed last year against Dr. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Director of IIM Bengaluru, and seven senior faculty members for caste-based discrimination against Dr. Gopal Das, Associate Professor at the institute.

The latest case was filed on January 27 by Dr. D. Sanna Durgappa, a former faculty member at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies, IISc, who belongs to the Bovi community (Scheduled Caste). Dr. Durgappa alleges that he was dismissed from service in 2014 through a fabricated honey-trap case and subjected to casteist abuse and threats by the accused.

The complainant, Dr. Durgappa, approached the 71st City Civil and Sessions Court, which directed the Sadashivanagar police to register the FIR and investigate the matter. Among the accused are prominent IISc faculty members, including Govindan Rangarajan, Sridhar Warrier, Sandya Vishwswaraih, Hari K V S, Dasappa, Balaram P, Hemalata Mhishi, Chattopadyaya K, Pradeep D Sawkar, Manoharan as well as Kris Gopalakrishnan, who serves as a member of the IISc Board of Trustees.

Dr. Durgappa’s complaint states that the accused conspired to tarnish his reputation and terminate his employment by framing him in a fake honey-trap case. He further claims that caste-based abuse and threats made his professional environment hostile and untenable.

Parallels With the IIM Bengaluru Case

Dr. Durgappa’s legal battle has drawn attention to a similar case involving Dr. Gopal Das, Associate Professor at IIM Bengaluru. In Dr. Das’s case, an FIR was lodged under the SC/ST Act against IIM Director Dr. Rishikesha T. Krishnan and seven senior officers for caste-based discrimination and harassment.

The allegations against the officials stem from an investigation conducted by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE). The inquiry, led by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), found substantial evidence of caste-based discrimination and denial of opportunities to Dalit scholar Professor Gopal Das.

The report noted that the accused violated constitutional principles, particularly provisions ensuring equal opportunities and the dignity of the marginalized section. These findings, corroborated by the Social Welfare Commissioner, prompted the registration of the FIR under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The FIR, filed at the Mico Layout Police Station, followed mounting pressure from activists, civil rights organizations, and the public after The Mooknayak first published a report on the DCRE investigation findings on December 19, 2024.

 Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar National Association of  Engineers (BANAE) strongly condemned the incident and called for a stringent action. In a press statement, Nagsen Sonare, the national president said, "We strongly condemn Infosys co-founder and 17 other professors for practicing caste system , discrimination and criminal conspiracy against a scheduled caste professor and dismissing Prof D Sanna Durgappa ten years ago in a fake honey trap case. We salute his courage to stand up against mighty IISc management and Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan and fight.FIR under Atrocities has been registered against all accused on the order of sessions court.They must be arrested immediately.

While taking note of this case ,We salute Prof Gopal Das, Asso Professor of IIM Bangalore who fought and got Atrocities FIR registered against castiest brahmin Supremacists professor Dr Rishikesh T Krishnan ,Director -IIM, Bangalore and seven other senior officers.This case of Dr Gopal Das was cited in the arguments in Sessions court against Co-founder of Infosys and 17 other professors. BANAE is has been supporting the fight of Dr Gopal Das for justice and will continue to support him and all such cases where our people are subjected to caste atrocities and Discrimination."