New Delhi:
The vice chancellor of the University of Delhi was suspended by order of President Ram Nath Kovind, the union education ministry said on Wednesday, amid a major appointment dispute that sparked a nasty power dispute.
The Education Ministry had asked the president to allow an investigation against Yogesh Tyagi after a dispute over appointments to the university last week. On Tuesday night, the president allowed the investigation against the rector, who was accused of “misconduct” and “breach of duty” by the ministry.
“The President of India, in his capacity as a visitor to the university, considering the facts and the material available in the file, has ordered an investigation into the allegations of breach of duties and lack of commitment and devotion to duty against him “, a government statement said.
In a letter to the university’s registrar, the Education Ministry said the vice chancellor has been suspended until the investigation is completed, as he can influence the investigation while in office. Professor PC Joshi will take over as Vice Chancellor for now.
Mr. Tyagi has been on leave since July 2 when he was admitted to the AIIMS hospital in Delhi with an emergency medical condition. The government had appointed Professor PC Joshi in charge on July 17, until Mr. Tyagi took office.
A controversy erupted last week when Tyagi removed Joshi as pro-VC and appointed Geeta Bhatt, director of the university’s Board of Non-College Women’s Education, in his stead.
Mr. Joshi, meanwhile, had notified the appointment of a new registrar, Vikas Gupta, whose interview was completed and the appointment was authorized by the executive council on Wednesday.
However, on the same day, Mr. Tyagi approved and notified the appointment of PC Jha as Acting Registrar and Director of the South Campus.
Later, the Education Ministry intervened in the power dispute between the vice chancellor and the vice chancellor, saying that the appointments made by Tyagi were not “valid” because he is on leave.
The power dispute escalated with Mr. Jha writing to the ministry citing himself as an “interim registrar” and saying that all decisions made by Tygai are in accordance with the university’s rules. The ministry objected to the letter and ordered the university to crack down on it.
(With PTI inputs)
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