Times of India: Kochi: Friday, 26 September 2025.
Maharaja's College
(Autonomous) is yet to recover Rs 3.31 crore (Rs 3,31,42,497) in rent arrears
from shop rooms in its stadium complex as of June 12, 2025, according to an RTI
reply furnished by college officials. The revelation has triggered sharp criticism,
with student bodies alleging that despite such revenue sources, the college
continues to suffer from inadequate infrastructure and crumbling buildings.
The RTI was filed by city-based lawyer Rithin Gopi T G, who said he long suspected irregularities in the collection of rent. "I knew the college had sources of income apart from govt funding. Some teachers hinted that rents were not being collected properly, so I filed an RTI to verify," he said.
The reply revealed that 13 shops are operating in the college-owned stadium building. Major defaulters include A2Z Group, owned by E S Jose, which owes nearly Rs 1 crore in dues for three shops, making it the largest defaulter. Mahal Ceramics, owned by V Y Iqbal, owes around Rs 45 lakh, while Modern Graphics, which runs two shops, has dues amounting to Rs 37 lakh.
While Gopi acknowledged that a few of the shopkeepers moved court over disputes relating to rent, he pointed out that several others continue to default despite having no pending legal cases.
Meanwhile, student organizations have raised concerns over neglect of campus infrastructure. KSU unit president Rajeev Patrick said parts of History Block and Malayalam department have become unsafe, with portions collapsing in recent months. He accused the administration of allowing shopowners to occupy valuable space almost "free of cost" while students study in hazardous conditions.
Incidentally, repeated attempts by TOI to contact college authorities for comment went unanswered.
The RTI was filed by city-based lawyer Rithin Gopi T G, who said he long suspected irregularities in the collection of rent. "I knew the college had sources of income apart from govt funding. Some teachers hinted that rents were not being collected properly, so I filed an RTI to verify," he said.
The reply revealed that 13 shops are operating in the college-owned stadium building. Major defaulters include A2Z Group, owned by E S Jose, which owes nearly Rs 1 crore in dues for three shops, making it the largest defaulter. Mahal Ceramics, owned by V Y Iqbal, owes around Rs 45 lakh, while Modern Graphics, which runs two shops, has dues amounting to Rs 37 lakh.
While Gopi acknowledged that a few of the shopkeepers moved court over disputes relating to rent, he pointed out that several others continue to default despite having no pending legal cases.
Meanwhile, student organizations have raised concerns over neglect of campus infrastructure. KSU unit president Rajeev Patrick said parts of History Block and Malayalam department have become unsafe, with portions collapsing in recent months. He accused the administration of allowing shopowners to occupy valuable space almost "free of cost" while students study in hazardous conditions.
Incidentally, repeated attempts by TOI to contact college authorities for comment went unanswered.
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