NEW DELHI: A day after P C Jha, controversially appointed by Delhi University vice-chancellor Yogesh Tyagi as acting registrar, wrote to the Union education ministry claiming his appointment and that of pro vice-chancellor Geeta Bhatt were valid under the statutes of the university, the ministry responded on Saturday by sending a letter addressed to Vikas Gupta, who was appointed the registrar by DU's Executive Council on October 21, ordering him to take action against Jha.
In further escalation of the issue, the Viceregal Lodge, the vice-chancellor's office used by Jha and Bhatt on Friday, were taken over by Gupta and pro vice-chancellor P C Joshi.
Offices of pro VC, registrar sealed
They barred the entry of the two officials appointed by Tyagi while on leave.
The ministry’s letter, signed by Birendra Kumar Singh, deputy secretary, education ministry, read, “This ministry is in receipt of a letter dated 23/10/2020 received from one Shri PC Jha claiming to be the registrar of Delhi University. It is requested to ascertain who this person is and if he turns out to be an employee of Delhi University, then strict action as per the Delhi University Act, 1922, and statues and ordinances be taken.”
On Friday, the offices of the pro VC and registrar were sealed and Jha and Bhatt functioned out of the VC’s office when late at night Joshi and Gupta took over the control of the office. On Saturday, Jha issued a press statement contending the two had taken illegal occupation of VC’s office.
Jha’s statement read: “This has been informed to the police. The registrar, PC Jha, and pro-VC, Geeta Bhatt, were not allowed to enter the Viceregal Lodge premise around 1.30 pm on Saturday. They were denied entry by the guards.”
Jha was also issued a notice and removed from the position of director of the Cluster Innovation Centre by Gupta. Jha told TOI, “I have been asked to respond to the notice in three days. I am reading through these and after consultation, will see what needs to be said in reply.”
A day earlier, the education ministry had written to the university saying that all decisions regarding the university’s functioning had to be taken by pro vice-chancellor PC Joshi, who is the acting vice-chancellor in the absence of the VC.