Thiruvananthapuram | Opposition UDF on Saturday demanded the Left government in Kerala to order a vigilance probe into the allegations of corruption in the state-run Digital University here.

The Congress-led front said a special vigilance team should be constituted to investigate the alleged illegal activities, financial fraud and corruption at the prestigious institution.

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan sent a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, pointing out the media reports surfaced in connection with alleged malpractices in the University.

He pointed out in the letter that, unlike other universities, the Chief Minister himself is the Pro-Chancellor of the university, which operates under the state IT Department.

The corrupt officials are abusing the provision that the university must find the necessary funds for its operations through various projects, he alleged.

"There is no doubt that the corruption is due to the fact that no audit has been conducted since the university was formed," the LoP charged.

In the letter, Satheesan further alleged that many projects that the university should receive are being implemented by misusing university systems in the name of shell companies created by some faculty members there.

Reports that some faculty members have formed more than five companies to bag such projects are also utmost serious, he noted and accused them of using university staff to operate such bogus firms.

Corruption and malpractices are taking place in the University working under the chief minister, he alleged.

"So, we request that a special vigilance team be appointed to investigate this matter and steps be taken urgently to bring the wrongdoers to justice," the LoP urged.