PIL challenging C Thangamuthu in Madurai Kamaraj University VC selection panel
Chennai: A petition has been filed in Madras high court challenging recent appointment of Dr C. Thangamuthu as a search committee member for the selection of vice-chancellor for Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU)
The division bench comprising Justices S. Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad, before which a petition filed by Mahalingam of Chennai, an alumnus of the university, has directed the Advocate General to produce the relevant files before the court and posted the matter for further hearing to Thursday.
In the PIL Mahalingam has submitted that the first bench of the court dated June 14, 2018 had set-aside the appointment of professor PP Chelladurai as VC of MKU and directed the University to strictly follow the rules and statues to ensure that the suitability and eligibility of the persons to be selected for the panel for the post of VC are not compromised. Despite the order, the authorities committed irregularities again.
He alleged that government officials, who are holding ex-officio position as syndicate members of MKU, have exhibited their total disregard for the statute, appointed Dr C. Thangamuthu as the syndicate nominee for the VC search committee in a hasty and hurried manner.
Even before receiving the HC order copy, the secretary, Tamil Nadu higher education department instructed the registrar, MKU, to convene the meeting of syndicate on July 16, 2018, which was a public holiday. Six government officials, who are ex-officio members, traveled from Chennai to Madurai and in the meeting held on June 16, 2018 and nominated and appointed Dr Thangamuthu as search committee member for the selection of VC.
He said notice was not given to syndicate members in spite of the fact that the statue mandates publication of notification in the gazette for constitution of committee. And, last date for filing nomination for search committee members must be fixed at least 14 days after the date of publication of notification.
The consent letter of the person to be selected should be placed in the syndicate meeting and no such letter was produced in the meeting held on June 16, 2018. The selection has been done under the instigation and compulsion of the principal secretary, higher education department, Tamil Nadu.
He contended that the authorities violated provisions of MKU Act 1965 and selected Dr Thangamuthu. Seeking direction to quash the proceedings of the Syndicate meeting held on June 16, he prayed for direction to the university to follow the Act.
