Governor slaps a showcause on SU V-C

Dr Beniwal,in a notice issued on March 22,has said,“Why a formal inquiry headed by a retired High Court judge not be initiated against him for acts of omission and commission in this matter?”

According to the notice,Joshipura was directed to remove Jani,who had got the post despite lack of requisite qualification and experience in 2007,from the service by giving him a six months’ notice pay.

However,Joshipura allegedly misguided the SU syndicate by putting the entire matter to vote in a meeting held on February 8 this year and managed to resolve to discard the directions of the Chancellor by a majority of votes. The majority held the view that no irregularities were committed in the appointment of Jani.

The Chancellor,who is also the Governor of the state,further noted that instead of faithfully complying with her directives,Joshipura has shown “resistance and wilful disobedience��.

In the notice,she also says there is proof that Joshipura threatened several senate and syndicate members with dire consequences if they did not fall in line and support his stand that no irregularity had been committed by the SU.

“It is on record that by adopting criminal intimidation,Joshipura has forcibly obtained consent of 33 senate and syndicate members for which he could be liable for action under Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code and a criminal complaint could be lodged against him for his unruly behaviour,” the notice said,adding Joshipura is guilty of dereliction of duty and improper conduct.

“He has shown disrespect to the instructions issued to him by questioning my powers and has thus invariably failed in performing his duties as laid down in Section 11(3) of Saurashtra University Act,” the Governor further said.

Initially,a 15-day notice period given by the Chancellor was extended by one more week on the request of Joshipura,who was asked to reply to the notice either in writing or in person. The period ended on Thursday.

Joshipura,however,could not be contacted.