WB NUJS to get new vice chancellor, CJI B R Gavai picks O V Nandimath as replacement for outgoing VC N K Chakrabarti
The student body at WB NUJS had given an ultimatum that if VC N K Chakrabarti did not resign by October 31, then it would start a ‘full-scale protest’ in November.
Nandimath's appointment comes after student protests against outgoing VC N K Chakrabarti over financial and misconduct allegations.
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WB NUJS) is all set to get a new vice chancellor (VC) after the institute reopens post Puja vacation in November.
University officials said that a search committee had recommended three names to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), B R Gavai, who is also the chancellor of WB NUJS. The CJI is learnt to have given the final nod to Dr O V Nandimath.
You’ve Read Your Free Stories For Now
Sign up and keep reading more stories that matter to you.
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.
Story continues below this ad
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.
Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage.
Experience
Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness.
Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances.
Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial, often sensitive, beats, including:
State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies.
Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues.
Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE).
Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll.
Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read More
