New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to interfere with the show cause notice issued issued by the Union ministry of human resources Development, asking Dr Chandra Krishnamurthy, vice chancellor of the Pondicherry University, as to why she should not be dismissed from the VC post for her alleged plagiarism, administrative irregularities and misrepresentation made to the government.
A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justices Ms. R. Banumathi and Uday Lalit dismissed the VC’s appeal against a judgment of the Madras High Court which refused to grant any relief to the VC. The High Court had also upheld another order of the HRD Ministry placing her under ‘compulsory’ wait. The Bench, however, granted three weeks for her to reply to the show cause notice.
Chandra Krishnamurthy was appointed VC of Pondicherry University and she took charge on February 1, 2003 for five years. Following complaints, the UGC constituted a fact-finding committee consisting of academicians and retired officials who held high position. The panel submitted its report on August 10, 2015 stating that the she was guilty of plagiarism and misrepresentation made to the Union Ministry. Thereafter, allegation of improper administration of the university was also made against her by 1200 students.
The Pondicherry administration submitted its report about the situation on the ground. Based on the report, she was placed under compulsory wait and thereafter the show cause notice was issued to her and she challenged this in the High Court.
Senior counsel Raju Ramachandran, appearing for the VC submitted that the fact finding enquiry had concluded her guilt and she was asked only to reply on the punishment for removal. He contended that the HRD Ministry has no power or authority to pass the impugned order.
Disagreeing with the submissions, the CJI reminded the counsel that since the VC held office during the pleasure of the President (Pranab Mukherjee), the President can remove her and her reply to the show cause notice will be rendered meaningless.
The CJI said “we can understand that as an academician you (VC) don’t want the stigma of plagiarism. You better resign on your own and give your reply which will be independently dealt with by the President.”
However, when the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi pointed out that even without replying to the show cause notice she was drawing her salary as she was under compulsory wait, the Bench dismissed her appeals granting three weeks for her to send her response to the show cause notice.
