Probe appointment of unqualified teachers: Madras high court

Chennai: The Madras high court directed the authorities to conduct an enquiry in respect of the allegations of large scale of induction of teaching staff in law colleges and the law university without insisting on the requisite educational qualifications. 

The court warned that if it is found such appointments of law teachers in law colleges and law universities based on favouritism and nepotism have been made, then prosecutions and appropriate actions are to be initiated against all such public servants and the officials concerned.

Passing further interim orders on a petition from D.Shankar, a professor, Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Justice S.M. Subramaniam said, “This court is able to visualise that the appointments contrary to the UGC regulations would have been made only on certain extraneous considerations. It would not be difficult for the authorities to verify the educational qualification with reference to the UGC regulations and appoint the teaching staff. If that is not done, certainly, it is not only the concern of the court it is detrimental to the interest of the public at large”.

Enquiry in respect of unqualified teachers is to be conducted without any further delay. In the event of identifying appointments on favouritism and nepotism, then suitable actions were to be taken against all the persons who were responsible for such appointments of unqualified teachers for imparting legal education in law colleges and the law university, the judge added.

The judge said the Grievance Committee appointed by the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, was requested to scrutinise the files relating to the educational qualifications of law teachers, experience, method of appointment, recruitment rules etc., with reference to the UGC regulations in respect of the teaching staff of the law college and law university and submit a report to the Syndicate of the University / Directorate of Legal Studies / Secretary, Law department for consideration and for passing appropriate orders by providing an opportunity to the persons concerned and by following the procedures as contemplated under law.

The judge posted to November 12, further hearing of the petition which sought to quash an order passed by the University and consequently direct the University to reinstate him as Registrar of the University.