Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor Rajan Welukar
Trouble seems to be brewing for Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor Rajan Welukar after the Bombay High Court observed that the 'search committee' which appointed him to the post, did so without 'application of mind'.
A division bench consisting of Justice PV Hardas and Justice A Prabhudesai, made the observation while the issue was being heard by the court. The matter had been referred to the bench after a split verdict on petitions challenging Mr Welukar's appointment. The issue had been referred to a single judge and then referred to the bench headed by Justice Hardas.
One of the petitioners who challenged Mr Welukar's appointment in court claimed that he does not have teaching experience of 15 years and has not published at least five research articles after his PhD in international peer-reviewed journals, or is the author of a text book. This according to the petitioner makes him ineligible for the post.
After the High Court made the observations, Yuva Sena Chief Aaditya Thackeray tweeted:
The court also observed that it can exercise its extraordinary discretionary jurisdiction to direct the 'search committee' to reconsider the question of Mr Welukar's eligibility for appointment as vice-chancellor of the university.
The matter will now be heard by the original bench headed by the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. Mr Welukar was appointed Vice-Chancellor in 2010.