Strangely, when the university set up an inquiry, Jayaraman’s name came up as one of those allegedly involved.

“Soon after he filed the complaint, he started receiving calls — both threatening and with promises of money and job. Officially, he was transferred to the English Department,” said Durairaj.

In February 2008, Jayaraman attempted to commit suicide. In his statement to the police, he said that pressure from within and outside the university had forced him to take such a step.

“On April 24, some henchmen threatened him with dire consequences if he gave any information to the internal inquiry panel. I advised him to file a complaint with the Kalapet police station but there was no further action,” Durairaj said.

On the night of May 19, Jayaraman went to his farmland but did not return. His relatives went out in search and found his body, strangulated, his hands and legs tied. The local police have failed to make any headway in the investigation.

Jayaraman’s family approached the High Court for a CBI probe into the murder case. The High Court has asked the state government for its opinion on transferring the case.

“It is evident that he was murdered for exposing the mark sheet scam. Our information is that he had collected about 200 cases which may have led to his murder. Now only the CBI can bring out the truth of the matter,” said advocate MV Ramachandramurthy, vice-president of Indian Solidarity Committee for Democracy, Freedom and Human Rights, a local organisation that has taken up the case.

... contd.