THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Kerala University’s Centre for Latin American Studies is paying the price for what could be the costliest ‘typo’ in its financial history – a careless bank clerk swapping ” with ‘$’ while transferring funds to a Brazil-based journalist as remuneration for four online lectures he delivered in 2023.The difference between the intended fee of Rs 20,000 and the amount that went through, $20,000, left Kerala University poorer by Rs 16.5 lakh. Worse, all efforts to recover the excess amount have failed. The funds transfer was to designated account of Kathleen Martinic, wife of guest lecturer Milan Sime Martinic. The mistake, officials said, occurred at SBI Tejaswini branch in Thiruvananthapuram’s Technopark.The centre reported the loss to the university in 2024, after which the authorities wrote to the guest lecturer. “Martinic promised to credit the excess amount back to the university account. However, the money never reached us, though he claimed to have repaid it,” Gireesh Kumar, head of the centre, told TOI.Martinic died a few months later, further diminishing chances of university getting back the excess Rs 16.5 lakh sent on June 15, 2023.State govt had sanctioned Rs 20 lakh to the centre for a student exchange programme. The funds were transferred to the account of a consulting group by Kathleen. The centre has since filed a complaint with banking ombudsman, but the issue is unresolved. SBI, which admitted its mistake, sought the university’s assistance in urging the recipient to refund the amount received.About the AuthorB S AnilkumarB S Anilkumar is a journalist with over two decades of demonstrated experience as news reporter, political analyst, newsroom manager and news coordinator of major events, including quite a number of elections and state budgets. Not one who moved straight from class room to news room. Anil turned to journalism after spending half a dozen years in experimental theatre in Kerala, as actor, writer and coordinator, traveling across the state and outside and interacting with luminaries and contemporaries in the field. Translated two plays-The Royal Hunt of the Sun and The Lovers. He writes in all formats- short and long. Focuses mainly on politics, education and power sectors, besides finance, culture and theatre. Currently working as deputy metro editor The Times of India, Thiruvananthapuram bureau in Kerala.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Really Happy For Others’: SC Rejects Umar Khalid’S Bail; Partner Shares His Reaction“Trump’s Interest Is Clear”: Ex-Diplomat Slams Venezuela ActionCPI-M Protests Near Us Consulate In Chennai Over Venezuela AttackBJP Welcomes SC Denial Of Bail To Umar Khalid And Sharjeel Imam; Opposition Calls It Unfortunate”US Has No Jurisdiction in Venezuela” Ex-UN Envoy Dilip Sinha Slams US Action In VenezuelaAfter T20 World Cup Move, Bangladesh Now Bans IPL 2026 Broadcast Amid Mustafizur Rahman RowSC Rejects Bail Plea Of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam; Grants Bail To 5 Others In Delhi Riots CaseRajnath Singh Commissions ICG’s Pollution Control Vessel ‘Samudra Pratap’, Hails Make-In-IndiaShashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari & Salman Khurshid Raise Concerns Over US Attack In Venezuela’Whole Of Jammu And Kashmir Should Be Reunited With India’: British MP Bob Blackman123PhotostoriesBirthday special: Best songs of Diljit DosanjhAR Rahman birthday special: From ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ to ‘Chaka Chak’ — his best Bollywood songs5 powerful money lessons from Morgan Housel’s bestselling book ‘The Psychology of Money’Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares comforting flavours of Gujarat that are worth trying this winterDeepika Padukone birthday special: From Denmark roots to Bollywood stardom4 foods that may help slow down ageingHeart health: The big 3 heart numbers to know, as per Harvard experts7 legendary Indian scientists and their contributionsHow to make Paneer Bread Pakoda for evening snacking5 foods that steadily cause hair loss without you knowing about it123Hot PicksUS strikes VenezuelaVande Bharat Sleeper TrainPublic holidays January 2026Gold rate todayUmar Khalid BailCigarette tax hikeBank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersCardi BQuinn HughesKyle TuckerSidney Crosby LifestyleTyrese Haliburton and Jade Jones Net WorthKevin StefanskiChicago Bulls vs Boston CelticsJohn PyleKevin Durant vs LeBron James Net Worth
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Kerala University’s Centre for Latin American Studies is paying the price for what could be the costliest ‘typo’ in its financial history – a careless bank clerk swapping ” with ‘$’ while transferring funds to a Brazil-based journalist as remuneration for four online lectures he delivered in 2023.The difference between the intended fee of Rs 20,000 and the amount that went through, $20,000, left Kerala University poorer by Rs 16.5 lakh. Worse, all efforts to recover the excess amount have failed. The funds transfer was to designated account of Kathleen Martinic, wife of guest lecturer Milan Sime Martinic. The mistake, officials said, occurred at SBI Tejaswini branch in Thiruvananthapuram’s Technopark.The centre reported the loss to the university in 2024, after which the authorities wrote to the guest lecturer. “Martinic promised to credit the excess amount back to the university account. However, the money never reached us, though he claimed to have repaid it,” Gireesh Kumar, head of the centre, told TOI.Martinic died a few months later, further diminishing chances of university getting back the excess Rs 16.5 lakh sent on June 15, 2023.State govt had sanctioned Rs 20 lakh to the centre for a student exchange programme. The funds were transferred to the account of a consulting group by Kathleen. The centre has since filed a complaint with banking ombudsman, but the issue is unresolved. SBI, which admitted its mistake, sought the university’s assistance in urging the recipient to refund the amount received.
