The executive council of the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), which met here on Monday, unanimously maintained that Vajubhai R. Vala , Governor and Chancellor of the university, was not empowered to order a probe or appoint a fact-finding committee to inquire into the affairs of the university.
The issue cropped up at the extraordinary meeting of the council to discuss the possible legal course of action to be taken on the decision of Mr. Vala to appoint a one-man fact-finding committee to investigate the alleged irregularities in the university.
Reliable sources in the varsity told The Hindu that the council resolved to authorise the Registrar of the university to challenge the said notification of Mr. Vala before the appropriate legal forum.
It was observed in the meeting that Section 11(1) and (2) of the VTU Act, 1994, might not entitle Mr. Vala to order a fact-finding or an enquiry on his own against the university.
However, as per Section 11(4) of the Act, the Chancellor, as head of the university, might have the powers to exercise his general control over the university subject to the powers entitled to the State government as per the provisions under Section 9(1) and (2) of the Act.
It was further observed that as per Section 53(2)(a) of the Act, it is clear that initiating any legal proceedings against any officers of the university by any competent authority does not stand valid unless it was approved by the council
However, the council members and officials made it clear that it was not against any inquiry by any designated competent authority against any officer of the university, sources said.
The High Court bench at Dharwad, headed by Justice Aravind Kumar, on February 27 dismissed a writ petition filed by the university registrar, questioning the Mr. Vala’s authority to appoint a committee to probe into the allegations of irregularities in the university.
The court had observed that the Registrar had no locus standi to file the writ petition without taking the approval of the university’s council.
Mr. Vala had appointed a one-man fact finding committee, under retired judge Ajit Gunjal, to probe into the allegations of irregularities and misappropriation of funds in the varsity by citing nearly 18 anomalies since 2001, many of which were noticed during past five to six years, sources said.
Visvesvaraya Technological University’s executive council meets on Tuesday
One-man fact finding committee was set up to investigate into alleged irregularities in varsity
