The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday asked the Punjab government to explain on what grounds 92 appointments were made,for various posts,at the Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University in Fatehgarh Sahib. The explanation has been sought from the state government and the University in the wake of a petition filed by the suspended vice chancellor of the University,Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia. The suspended VC had alleged that the 92 appointments were made when he was hospitalised and after his return,he had refused to regularise them as they were illegal. Stating that since he refused to regularise the appointments on the directions of SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar,he was suspended from the post of Vice-Chancellor. Meanwhile,counsel for Ahluwalia on Wednesday apprised the Court that Ahluwalia is willing to resign only if the Punjab government withdraws the inquiry marked against him and provides him retiral and other benefits. This offer was contested by the law officer for the Punjab government. Ahluwalia had moved the High Court challenging his suspension orders. Taking stock of the allegations,the Court,earlier this month had issued notices to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president and University Chancellor Avtar Singh Makkar. Ahluwalia has sought quashing of his suspension orders apart from demanding a probe into the alleged illegal appointments made by the University. Moreover,he demanded that a seven-day prior notice be issued to him before any further action is taken against him. The suspended VC had accused Makkar of blackmailing him after his suspension. He also alleged that Makkar told him to justify before the Court,the 92 illegal appointments made by the SGPC-run university. As many as 32 of the appointees were his (Makkar) relatives or acquaintances,Ahluwalia had alleged. He claimed that the illegal appointees included Makkars grandson Amanpreet Singh,who was now the super vice-chancellor of the University.
