Gujarat Vidyapith gets 8 weeks to decide on vice-chancellor removal

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court on Wednesday directed the Mahatma Gandhi-founded Gujarat Vidyapith to undertake "the due procedure" to implement the University Grant Commission's (UGC) order to its chancellor to remove vice-chancellor Rajendra Khimani from the post and take an appropriate decision within eight weeks.
Justice Biren Vaishnav ordered to grant Khimani an opportunity of hearing and defend himself against UGC's decision taken in June to sack him in accordance with the rules.
The UGC had pointed out 22 financial and administrative irregularities including Khimani's appointment as VC and various staff members and issued a show-cause notice as to why Vidyapith's deemed university status should not be withdrawn and why its grants should not be stopped.
Decide on VC's removal in 8 weeks: HC
AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court on Wednesday directed the Mahatma Gandhi-founded Gujarat Vidyapith to undertake "the due procedure" to implement the University Grant Commission's order to remove vice-chancellor Rajendra Khimani from the post and take an appropriate decision within eight weeks.
Justice Biren Vaishnav's order will grant Khimani an opportunity to defend himself against UGC's decision made in June to sack him as per the rules. The UGC had pointed out 22 financial and administrative irregularities, including Khimani's appointment as VC. The commission issued a show-cause notice to know why it should not withdraw Vidyapith's deemed university status and stop its grants.
Khimani moved HC against the order, claiming that it did not leave any scope for him to defend himself. The HC said that the rules make it clear that if the VC is found lacking or guilty, he can be removed after following due process.
Recording case details in the light of UGC's 554th meeting minutes based on which Khimani's removal was ordered, the HC observed that UGC had followed the rules in ordering the VC's removal, and it is up to Vidyapith to follow the procedure. The court said the UGC meeting minutes was on its website, and Vidyapith cannot claim ignorance about it.
After HC ordered Vidyapith to complete the process in eight weeks, the UGC submitted it is a peculiar situation that the VC and institute are on the same page on this issue. The judge expressed his apprehension about whether the varsity would act in the case.