Nagpur: Quashing the order of Chancellor of Maharashtra suspending Dr Subhash Chaudhari as Vice-Chancellor of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), Justice Mukulika Jawalkar and Justice Anil Kilor of Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court have kept the judgment in abeyance. The High Court has given 4 weeks time to the Governor to appeal in the Supreme Court.
The court observed that the procedure, as prescribed under the Uniform Statute, has not been followed in the case of the petitioner Dr Subhash Chaudhari before issuing the impugned order, suspending the petitioner. The Bench further allowed the writ petition and quashed and set aside the impugned order dated February 21, 2024, issued by the Chancellor.
Government Pleader Deven Chauhan prayed to keep the judgment in abeyance for four weeks, to which Adv Atharva Manohar, appearing for the petitioner, strongly opposed. But the Court made it clear that since the charge of the petitioner is already with the acting Vice-Chancellor, no prejudice would be caused to the petitioner if the judgment is kept in abeyance for four weeks.
Accordingly, the judgment has been kept in abeyance for four weeks and it would come into force automatically thereafter. Taking serious cognisance of alleged irregularities in RTMNU, Chancellor Ramesh Bais had suspended Dr Subhash Chaudhari from the post of Vice-Chancellor on February 21, 2024, after which Dr Chaudhari had challenged the order.
Governor had constituted an inquiry panel to probe into contracts awarded for NU exam works and civil works.
