Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan booked under SC/ST Atrocities Act—What is the case? Explained

The Bengaluru police on Monday registered a case against Infosys co-founder Senapathy Gopalakrishnan, also known as Kris Gopalakrishnan, and 17 others, under the Prevention of SC/ST Atrocities Act.

We take a look at who Gopalakrishnan is, what happened, and what the case is about.

What is the Case Against Kris Gopalakrishnan?

The Sadashivanagar police in Bengaluru registered a case against Gopalakrishnan, former IISc Director Balaram P and 16 others under the Prevention of SC/ST Atrocities Act based on the directions of the 71st City Civil and Sessions Court (CCH).

Why was the Case Filed Under SC/ST Atrocities Act?

The Court directive came after the complainant, Durgappa, who belongs to the Bovi community (scheduled caste) and was a faculty member at the Centre for Sustainable Technology at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), claimed that in 2014, he was falsely implicated in a honey trap case and subsequently dismissed from service.

Durgappa further alleged that he faced casteist abuse and threats by those named in his complaint, which includes Gopalakrishnan.

Other accused in the case include Govindan Rangarajan, Sridhar Warrier, Sandya Vishwswaraih, Hari KVS, Dasappa, Balaram P, Hemalata Mhishi, Chattopadyaya K, Pradeep D Sawkar, and Manoharan.

What Now?

There was no immediate response from the IISc faculty or from Kris Gopalakrishnan, who also serves as a member of the IISc Board of Trustees, according to a PTI report.

Deeply saddened, says Kris Gopalakrishnan

“I have always believed in fairness, justice, and treating everyone with respect, regardless of their background. I am deeply saddened that a law meant to protect marginalized communities has been misused to make false allegations against me. I have been associated with IISc as Chairman of the Council since 2022, while the alleged incidents date back to 2014. IISc has clear policies for fair and transparent investigations, which are within the purview of the executive management. Yesterday, the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka stayed all further investigation and proceedings under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against me and others. As the matter is before the Courts, I will not comment further. I have full faith in the judiciary and trust that justice will prevail,” said Kris Gopalakrishnan in a statement.

Who is Kris Gopalakrishnan?

One of the original co-founders of Infosys, 69-year-old 'Kris' as Gopalakrishnan prefers to be called, was the CEO and MD of Infosys between 2007 and 2011. After that, he served as Vice Chairman of the company till 2014.

Currently, he is the Chairman of start-up accelerator Axilor Ventures. The company has invested in startups such as EnKash, GoodHome and Kaagaz, among others, according to a Hindustan Times report.

He and his wife, Sudha Gopalakrishnan, run a philanthropic organisation called Pratiksha Trust, which focuses on brain research.

He is also on the Board of Governors at his alma mater, IIT-Madras (as member), and IIT-Bangalore (as Chairman), and is the Board of Trustee at the Chennai Mathematical Institute, as per the Infosys website.

In 2011, he was conferred with India's third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan.

Gopalakrishnan holds a Master's degrees in physics and computer science from IIT-Madras. 

In a 2009 interaction with Mint, he said that he would have become a doctor instead of a businessman and recalled his parents’ wish that he study medicine as there were no doctors in their extended family.

(With inputs from PTI)

(This article has been updated to add new information.)