Law university scam: HC asks staff to produce affidavit

CHENNAI: To weed out unqualified professors and lecturers at the Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University, the Madras high court on Friday directed all teaching staff at the varsity to furnish sworn affidavits explaining the terms of their appointment, including their qualifications.
Justice S M Subramaniam said the court would scrutinise each affidavit independently to check if the appointment was as per norms laid down by the University Grants Commission (UGC), warning that those appointed due to favouritism would face consequences.

The judge passed the order on a plea moved by D Sankar, a professor at the varsity. The petitioner sought the court to remove unqualified people from service. “There is a general allegation that students do not respect teachers. If the teachers are unqualified and can’t take classes properly, how would they (students) respect (teachers)? One should command respect, not demand it,” the judge said.

The judge added that the court could see there had been irregular appointments made out of favouritism. After two years of such appointments on contractual basis, proposals would be sent on the sly to the government and such person’s service would be regularised, the court said.

Expressing its disappointment, the court said it is concerned about the welfare of the students and the institution as it would directly affect the quality of future lawyers and judges.