Governor asks Mumbai University V-C Rajan Welukar to resume duties

The Supreme Court on February 27 stayed the orders of the Bombay High Court, which sought to reconsider his eligibility criteria to hold the post. A bench of Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice A K Sikri noted a “prima facie” case in favour of Welukar, and asked the High Court to keep its hands off the matter till the time the Supreme Court finally decides on his appeal.

On February 19, the Governor had directed Welukar to “abstain from attending the office and from discharging his duties as V-C, with immediate effect”. The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the university, Naresh Chandra, was subsequently directed by the Governor to act as officiating V-C “until further orders”.

“The Chancellor has taken the decision in the light of orders passed by the Bombay High Court from time to time, while hearing the petitions challenging the essential eligibility qualification possessed by Dr Rajan Welukar and considering the fact that the High Court has directed a search committee to reconsider the question of the eligibility of Dr Welukar for the post of V-C,” the February 19 release from Raj Bhavan had then stated.

Welukar, in his petition before the Supreme Court, said that the High Court orders would cause serious prejudice to him and could prove an impediment in discharging his duties. He also said that the reconsideration of the eligibility criteria of a selected candidate was not permitted under the Maharashtra Universities Act, 1994 or any other statutory order. After being granted interim relief by the Supreme Court, Welukar met Rao on Tuesday morning. According to sources, Welukar also submitted a copy of the order of the apex court to the Governor.