University of Rajasthan Vice Chancellor J P Singhal, whose selection to the post was challenged in the High Court, today resigned after serving for 16 months.
His resignation was accepted by Rajasthan Governor and university Chancellor Kalyan Singh, officials said.
The resignation came a day before a hearing scheduled in the Rajasthan High Court on the controversial appointment of Singhal, who was appointed as VC of the University in August 2015.
The Chancellor on the advice of state government has given the additional responsibility of the VC to Jaipur divisional commissioner Rajeshwar Singh, a release from the Governor House said.
A senior official of the Governor House told PTI that Singhal had tendered his resignation today, which was subsequently accepted by the Governor.
The court had not pronounced its verdict in the case during its last hearing on January 4 and deferred it till January 9.
The double bench of the court comprising justices K S Jhaveri and Vineet Kumar Mathur had heard the PIL filed by former judge of High Court I S Israni and others challenging Singhal's appointment.
Singhal had courted controversy soon after his appointment with the state unit of Congress claiming he did not fulfil the eligibility criteria for post as prescribed by the UGC in 2010 and was made the VC allegedly due to his proximity to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
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Later, Health and Medical Education Minister Kalicharan Saraf said that former VC of Rajasthan University Dev Swarup, who was appointed during Congress regime, too was not a Ph.D degree holder.
He was the chief guest at the 71st Foundation Day of the university.
There were many VCs who did not hold Ph.D degree, but they still worked for the society and did excellent work, he said and asked why Congress has problems with Singhal.
Saraf said Rajasthan University fulfils all the criteria to become a Central University and the matter will be taken up with the central government.
