Pondicherry University Vice Chancellor Chandra Krishnamurthy has been put on compulsory wait with effect from August 22 until further orders, according to an order communicated to the government by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
Prof. Krishnamurthy had proceeded on leave till August 21 on a MHRD directive after an indefinite agitation by a section of students and faculty seeking her ouster for alleged academic misdemeanour and plagiarism had virtually paralysed the institution for days together.
The MHRD's decision to place her on compulsory wait follows her refusal to extend leave.
Confirming the receipt of the MHRD order, Chief Secretary Manoj Parida said it has also been communicated that Prof. Anisa Basheer Khan, senior-most Dean and acting Vice Chancellor will continue to hold charge of the post of Vice Chancellor till further orders.
The MHRD order reveals that the Government was of the considered opinion that Prof. Krishnamurthy should be "asked to extend her leave ans stay away from the University campus as the situation is too explosive for her to return at this stage".
The MHRD order states that taking into account the ground situation as reported by the local administration, compelling circumstances, and in the interest of restoring normalcy in the University, it had been decided to place Prof. Krishnamurthy on compulsory wait.
