Madras High Court stays chargesheet against Stella Maris associate professor

Chennai: The Madras high court has granted an interim stay of the charge-sheet issued by Stella Maris College (Autonomous) here to an associate professor for allegedly not awarding marks properly to students in the Botany practical examination in October last year. Passing interim orders on petitions filed by teacher Ordetta Hanna Mendoza, Justice D. Hariparanthaman also directed the college to forward her application to the director of collegiate education for sanctioning permission to go abroad immediately.

The court said since the college was on summer vacation from April 25 to June 6, disciplinary proceedings also could be kept pending during the period. It could be continued after the college reopened. The government side took notice. The court ordered notice to Madras University and the college.

The petitioner was issued a charge sheet of January 24for being strict in the practical examination. An enquiry officer was appointed. The petitioner said this could never be the subject matter of charge because the question as to how to evaluate the practicals was left to the examiner. Enquiry was pending.

Since she had to take treatment in USA and the college was on vacation, she sought the college’s permission to go abroad. But, her application was rejected stating that enquiry was pending, she said. The judge said considering the facts and circumstances, there shall be an order of interim stay.