Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan has said that it seemed that Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit was going ‘beyond his purview’ in the sex-for-marks scam incolving disgraced Virudhunagar-based math professor Nirmala Devi.

Nirmala reportedly tried to convince four poor college girls (her talk was taped) to agree to ‘sleep’ with high-ranking Madurai Kamaraj Univesity officials so that they all would get more than 85% marks and plenty of money.  This was a shock to educationists as it appeared that marks can be easily manipulated for sex.  A professor indulging in such acts like a pimp had shocked educationists, parents and the people alike.

‘Varsity vice-chancellor Chellathurai has set up a 5-member fact-finding mission to unearth the truth behind the scandal even as parents of the college in which the now-suspended Nirmala Devi was working are indulging in protests against her.  In his capacity as Chancellor of all the ‘Varsities in the State, Governor Purohit appointed retired IAS office Santhanam to probe the issue.

This superseded the ‘Varsity’s enquiry and this created huge controversies.  Commenting on the issue, Thiruma said that the Governor appeared to be going beyond his ‘purview’.  He demanded setting up a judicial inquiry into the whole issue under a woman Judge.