Thiruvananthapuram: Two of the founders of the private company that has taken the initiative to implement the Graphene-Aurora project using funds from the central and state governments are directly associated with Kerala Digital University.

Retired IAS officer Madhavan Nambiar and Professor Alex James, who are members of the board of directors of IIITM-K, the sponsoring agency of the Digital University, are among the founders of the company named India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (iGEIC). Alex James is also a lecturer at the Digital University.

The company has four directors, including the aforementioned. Its office is registered with the Registrar of Companies as a building on Ambujavilasam Road in Thiruvananthapuram. However, the company’s website lists an address in Whitefield, Bengaluru, as its headquarters.

Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas’ report to the Governor noted that, in addition to these two addresses, the company’s address at Pallippuram—where the Digital University is located—also appeared in the bills, invoices, and vouchers submitted by the company.

Based on the VC’s report, the Governor has called for an investigation into the irregularities. He has requested a police inquiry into the transfer of central and state funds to a private company for graphene research under the name of the Digital University, along with a CAG audit of the transactions.

The fund of Rs 94.85 crore, jointly established by the Union Ministry of Electronics and the state government for the Graphene Research and Development Project, was initially allocated to iGEIC. Later, a corrective order was issued, and Kerala Digital University was appointed as the implementing agency.

Ciza Thomas’s report states that individuals holding positions in both iGEIC and the Digital University, who became partners in the transaction without disclosing their responsibilities, present a conflict of interest.

The Vice-Chancellor has highlighted in the report offences such as lack of transparency in the formation of the company, inconsistencies in the company’s address, lack of clarity in project implementation, and irregularities in the use of funds.