Martime University VC issue: HC notice to ASG

The Madras High Court today issued a notice to the Additional Solicitor General on a petition questioning the authority of K Ashok Vardhan Shetty to hold the post of Vice Chancellor of city-based Indian Maritime University.
The court gave the direction on a petition by one C Arokiasamy who was a submarine captain and rendered navy services for 26 years.
Justice R S Ramanathan also issued a notice to the Indian Maritime University as well as to Shetty, returnable by September 23 2014.
Arokiasamy submitted that appointment of Shetty as VC was against UGC regulations, particularly under clause 7.30, the criteria which prescribed that persons to be appointed to the post should be a distinguished academician with a minimum 10 years experience as professor in a University system or 10 years experience in an equivalent position in a reputed research and/or academic administrative organization.

The petitioner, who applied for the post, said Shetty does not satisfy UGC rules and was an IAS officer in the cadre of Secretary to the government and took voluntary retirement in 2012.
He alleged Shetty has not satisfied the minimum Ph.D qualification and had never been an academician with the experience prescribed and in the field of maritime and port sectors.

He contended Shetty had no authority whatsoever to hold the post since the appointment was in violation of UGC and Indian Maritime University regulations.
Arikokaswamy alleged it was due to the proximity Shetty had with the then Shipping Minister that he was reportedly chosen, flouting all eligibility norms.

He said besides himself, five eligible persons had applied for the post, all of whom were not considered. It only showed that not only search committee but selection 'bristles' with violation of statutory regulations and that of principles of law enunciated on appointment to these type of coveted posts.
The petitioner contended that further continuation of Shetty in the post could be a hindrance to the day-to-day functional administration of the University.
He also sought a direction from the court to fill up the post of VC as per the rules and regulations.