Mumbai University VC Sanjay Deshmukh sacked for ‘gross negligence’ in delaying results

The chancellor then invoked the section 11(14)e of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act which states that the Vice-Chancellor may be removed from his office if the Chancellor is satisfied that the incumbent has willfully omitted or refused to carry out the provisions of the Act or has committed breach of any of the terms and conditions of the service prescribed by the state government.

The sacking of Deshmukh has brought great embarrassment to the university as this is the first time in at least two decades that a V-C was removed. Deshmukh, who has been accused of single-handedly deciding to overhaul the entire assessment system despite calls from all quarters to introduce the new system in a phase-wise manner, was sent on a forced leave by the governor in August following widespread protests. Students as well as political parties were gunning for Deshmukh’s resignation.

Trouble for the 160-year-old university began when it failed to release the results of students in time this year, putting the future of lakhs of students in jeopardy. While usually results are expected in mid-June, this year, results were delayed by almost three months, with thousands of students yet to receive their results.

The delay has been attributed to the varsity’s decision to introduce an on-screen assessment process in haste, with students and politicians holding Deshmukh responsible for risking the future of the students. The issue also caught traction in the monsoon session of the legislative assembly.

The state government will now initiate the process for the appointment of a new V-C, the first step of which is to appoint a search committee.