SC/ST case: HC stays investigation against Infosys co-founder
text_fields
Infosys co-founder and IISc Council Chairman Kris Gopalakrishnan.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has stayed the investigation and proceedings in a caste discrimination case filed against Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan and 15 others. Justice S R Krishna Kumar granted the stay on Wednesday, accepting the application filed along with the memorandum of facts.
The court ordered that the production of the original or certified copy of certain documents be dispensed with for now and further proceedings in the case, filed under crime number 17/2025 at Sadashivanagara police station, would be stayed until the next hearing. The stay also applies to related proceedings before the LXX Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge and Special Judge in Bengaluru.
The case against Gopalakrishnan and 17 faculty members was registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act following allegations from a former Dalit assistant professor, Sanna Durgappa, at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Durgappa accused the group of subjecting him to caste-based abuse and falsely framing him in a honey trap case over incidents that allegedly took place between 2010 and 2020.
In response to the case, Gopalakrishnan, who has been associated with IISc as the Chairman of the Council since 2022, denied the accusations and expressed his deep disappointment. He stated that he has always championed fairness, justice, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds. He emphasized that the allegations against him were part of a broader misuse of a law meant to protect marginalized communities.
“I have full faith in the judiciary and trust that justice will prevail,” Gopalakrishnan said, referring to the stay granted by the Karnataka High Court. He added that as the matter was pending before the courts, he would refrain from making further comments.
Kris Gopalakrishnan, a key figure in Infosys, served as the company’s CEO from 2007 to 2011 and Vice Chairman until 2014. A recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 2011, Gopalakrishnan is also known for his philanthropic work, particularly through the Pratiksha Trust, which focuses on brain research. He holds Master’s degrees in physics and computer science from IIT-Madras and has been a significant contributor to India’s tech industry.
With PTI inputs