Research supervisor changed, JNU scholars move High Court

They had taken admission in 2018, and professor Rajeev Kumar was appointed as their supervisor at the time. In September last year, they were told to change their supervisor orally by the Dean, which was turned into a written directive in January this year, and later affirmed by the Rector on February 28. Now the two HC students have approached the HC against JNU through its Rector and the Dean of SC&SS. After the first hearing, Justice Rekha Palli issued a notice to the parties in a written order on March 11.

In their petition before the HC, the duo said JNU had cited Clause 6.2 of the Ordinances to argue for a change in supervisor. It states: “The Centre or School/Special Centre concerned shall recommend only a full-time regular member of faculty of Centre or School/Special Centre (who is not reaching the age of superannuation in the next three academic years) as Research Supervisor…” Kumar is to superannuate in March 2024. However, they have claimed when Kumar was made supervisor “he was more than five years away from his date of superannuation (31.03.2014)”, and that the clause “does not apply to the present case”.

“The Research Supervisor plays a crucial role during the PhD programme, which is highly dependent on the candidate’s rapport, the direction of research, and continuity of guidance. Adding a new person as the primary supervisor may significantly hamper the Petitioners’ ability to complete their research. The Petitioners are also at risk of losing their scholarship and confirmed registration…” the petition states.