WB NUJS to get new vice chancellor, CJI B R Gavai picks O V Nandimath as replacement for outgoing VC N K Chakrabarti

They added that a letter will be sent to Dr Nandimath, asking him to take charge as the new VC by November 3.

Nandimath has nearly 28 years of experience in law teaching, research and consultancy.

Reacting to the development, a WB NUJS student said, “We are happy with this news. After the appointment of the new VC, we will be putting our demands before him.”

Meanwhile, speaking to The Indian Express, outgoing VC N K Chakrabarti said, “My term is already over. I am here on extension till the new vice chancellor joins. I have heard that the CJI has given a nod to one of the names recommended by the search committee… once he (the new VC) comes, I will hand over the charge to him.”

Protests had broken out at the WB NUJS in Kolkata in September, with the students demanding the resignation of Chakrabarti amid allegations of financial mismanagement, misconduct and sexual harassment.

The student body had also given an ultimatum that if the VC did not resign by October 31, then it would begin a “full-scale protest” in November.

The protests came nearly a week after the Supreme Court observed in a 2023 sexual harassment complaint against Chakrabarti: “It is advisable to forgive the wrongdoer, but not to forget the wrongdoing. The wrong… committed against the appellant may not be investigated on technical grounds, but it must not be forgotten. In this view of the matter, we direct that the incidents of alleged sexual harassment on part of respondent no.1 (Chakrabarti) may be forgiven but allowed to haunt the wrongdoer forever. Thus, it is directed that this judgment shall be made part of the resume of respondent no.1, compliance of which shall be strictly ensured by him personally.”

The complaint, filed by a faculty member, alleged harassment between 2019 and April 2023. After the Internal Complaints Committee initially rejected it due to the statutory three-month filing limit, the complainant moved the Calcutta High Court, and the matter later reached the Supreme Court.