Ajit Ranade’s termination from Gokhale Institute VC post won’t come into effect till Sept 23: Bombay HC

Ranade was issued a termination letter by Chancellor Bibek Debroy after a fact-finding committee found that his candidature does not conform to the established norms set forth by the guidelines of University Grants Commission (UGC).

The court was informed that the Chancellor of the university through an email dated September 14 agreed to the petitioner’s request for continuance as VC till September 21.

Senior advocate Mihir Desai for Ranade submitted that the economist had filed the plea during the said extended period. As the regular bench having assignment to hear the said matters would not be available till September 22, Justice Sonak-led bench posted further hearing to September 23.

“The impugned order should not be given effect for at least an additional day, that is up to the close of working hours on 23 September 2024 so that the petitioner has an opportunity to argue the matter before the regular bench on the said date and seek interim reliefs. We direct accordingly,” the bench noted, and said if at all respondents wished to file any reply to the plea, the same should be done by September 21.

The fact-finding committee recommendation as quoted in the termination letter to Ranade stated, “The Committee, after careful consideration, is of the opinion that Dr Ajit Ranade’s candidature does not conform to the established norms set forth by the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines. It is, therefore, legally untenable for him to continue in the role of Vice-Chancellor, as his appointment fails to meet the requisite legal and regulatory criteria for such a position. Consequently, the committee strongly recommends the removal of Dr Ajit Ranade from his position as Vice-Chancellor of GIPE, Pune”.