India, Jan. 8 -- A single clerical error led to one of the most expensive blunders in Kerala University's recent history, leaving its Centre for Latin American Studies short of nearly Rs.16.5 lakh.

The problem arose in 2023 when payment was being sent to a Brazil-based journalist for delivering four virtual lectures, The Times of India reported. Instead of transferring the approved honorarium of Rs.20,000, a bank employee mistakenly processed the amount as $20,000, confusing the rupee symbol with the dollar sign. The transaction drained far more from the university's account than intended.

University officials said the transfer was made through the State Bank of India's Tejaswini branch in Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram. The money was c...