Mumbai varsity V-C row: Governor urged to withdraw order allowing Welukar to resume work

by Shivendra Singh · March 7, 2015

Former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Mumbai University Dr A D Sawant wrote to Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Friday seeking the order allowing Rajan Welukar to resume work as V-C be withdrawn. Sawant, one of the petitioners in the four-year-long litigation challenging Welukar’s ineligibility, urged the Governor to “apply his mind afresh” and not allow Welukar to resume work until the case is finally disposed of in the Supreme Court.

The Governor, also the Chancellor of the Mumbai University, took the decision to reinstate Welukar in view of a Supreme Court order passed on February 27 staying two High Court orders directing a reconsideration of Welukar’s eligibility for the post by a search committee. The Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice of India H L Dattu and Justice A K Sikri noted a “prima facie” case in favour of Welukar, and asked the High Court to keep its hands off the matter till the time the Supreme Court finally decides his appeal.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Sawant, also former Vice-Chancellor of Rajasthan University, said, “No academician expected that the Chancellor would take this step of revoking his earlier order. I am shocked and surprised. There was no exigency for this after having appointed an acting V-C. He should have waited till the disposal of the petition in the apex court. Furthermore, a stay on two orders which are under scrutiny does not wipe out the effect of those High Court orders. It has been endorsed in a four versus one judgment that his selection was wrong and inappropriate. We appeal to the Chancellor to apply his mind afresh and withdraw his order passed on March 5 and make Welukar abstain from duties till the cases are on.”

Having received the Supreme Court order, Welukar met the Governor on March 3 and submitted a copy of the order. On Thursday evening, Rao directed Welukar to resume work with immediate effect. Welukar will now resume office from Saturday.

Source:: Indian Express