Belagavi, 3 Dec

A 34-year-old PhD scholar from Rani Channamma University (RCU), Belagavi, who allegedly attempted suicide after being denied her doctoral certificate at the recent convocation, has said she will approach Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, the Chancellor of the university, seeking justice.

Currently undergoing treatment at the government hospital in Chikkodi, the scholar released a video message claiming that although the Governor had approved her name for the convocation, the university ignored his directions and withheld her certificate.

She alleged that the action followed a written complaint she submitted against her research guide, Prof KLN Murthy, accusing him of harassment. According to her, Registrar Kamagouda instructed officials to stop the certificate because she had questioned university practices after her guide was suspended by the Syndicate.

“It was only because I raised a complaint…. Ever since the suspension, I have been singled out” she said. “I will send all documents to the Governor seeking intervention so that no other student faces this.”

She also alleged that the Registrar was favouring candidates from his own caste for teaching posts and that she was targeted for opposing this.

Her family said she consumed an excessive number of sleeping pills after returning home from the convocation last week, citing humiliation, mental agony and institutional negligence. She was admitted to BIMS Hospital in Belagavi and later shifted to Chikkodi hospital.

Her husband blamed the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar for the “injustice”.

“We have two children. If anything happens to my wife, I will end my life on the university campus,” he warned.

RCU issued a clarification denying any wrongdoing. Kamagouda said the scholar joined the PhD programme in November 2021, submitted her thesis ‘A Comprehensive Historical Study of Raibag Region (From Earliest Period to AD 1800)’ on 18 March, 2025, completed her viva voce on 10 May, 2025, and her PhD notification was issued the same day.

The university said her physical certificate was withheld pending an inquiry into her allegations against Murthy, asserting the process is “fair and transparent.”

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