Madras High Court upholds showcause notice to Pondicherry University vice chancellor
20 Dec 2015 11:36 AM IST
Justice M. M. Sundresh also upheld another order of the ministry placing her under ‘compulsory’ wait.
Madras High Court (Representational Image)
Chennai: The Madras high court has upheld the validity of a notice issued by the Union ministry of human resources Development, asking Dr Chandra Krishnamurthy, vice chancellor of the Pondicherry University, to showcause as to why she should not be dismissed from the VC post for her alleged plagiarism and misrepresentation made to the government.
Justice M. M. Sundresh also upheld another order of the ministry placing her under ‘compulsory’ wait. The judge dismissed petitions filed by Chandra Krishnamurthy challenging the showcause notice as well as the previous order keeping her under ‘compulsory’ wait.
The judge dismissed petitions filed by Chandra Krishnamurthy challenging the showcause notice as well as the previous order keeping her under 'compulsory’ wait. “This court is satisfied that the procedural fairness is certainly adopted in the case of the petitioner. She has been given all the requisite documents as sought for. The petitioner instead of giving a reply has rushed to the court. This court does not find any mala fide in law or facts. The petitioner has not demonstrated the same before this court. One has to also understand that the post of the petitioner is also a tenure post. Thus, she cannot be treated like a regular officer of the university. The entire scope and ambit of Pondicherry University Act and Regulations qua the post of vice chancellor is distinct and different from other posts. The petitioner has rushed to this court without co-operating with the proceedings”, the judge added.
Chandra Krishnamurthy was appointed VC of Pondicherry University and took charge on February 1, 2003 for five years. Following complaints, the UGC constituted a fact-finding committee consisting of academicians and retired officials who held high position. The panel submitted its report on August 10, 2015 stating that the she was guilty of plagiarism and misrepresentation made to the Union Ministry. Thereafter, allegation of improper administration of the university was also made against her by 1200 students. The Pondicherry administration submitted its report about the situation on ground. Based on the report, she was placed under compulsory wait and thereafter the show cause notice was issued to her.
The judge said a VC was a person in-charge of the university. The functions and duties of VC were wide and varied and it was a serious job. Not only the academic qualifications, but also a high level of competence, integrity and morals were pre-requisite for a person holding such post. The qualifications prescribed were indispensable. “As per section 35 of the Act, any dispute over an appointment of any authority of the university can be decided by the Visitor, who is the President. Thus, the petitioner’s contention there is no power or authority to the Union ministry of human resources to pass the impugned order cannot be sustained, especially when it is admitted that the petitioner was appointed by the Union ministry of human resources”, the judge added.
The judge said the challenge made to the order keeping the petitioner on ‘compulsory’ wait was also rejected as the same was not punitive in nature. It has been passed by taking into consideration the report of the Pondicherry administration, the judge added.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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