Jaipur: Granting relief to the vice chancellor of Jaipur-based Baba Amte Divyang University, Rajasthan High Court Thursday stayed an order by Governor Haribhau Bagde to remove Dev Swarup as the varsity’s VC over charges of alleged irregularities in recruitment during his tenure as Rajasthan University VC.Bagde, in his capacity as chancellor of the university, removed Swarup from office on May 27, after an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of assistant professors during his tenure as VC of Rajasthan University between 2011 and 2014.Justice Rekha Borana granted interim relief while hearing Swarup’s writ petition challenging his removal. The order was passed in the presence of Rajasthan Advocate General Rajendra Prasad. Following the court order, Swarup rejoined office Thursday afternoon, hours before his retirement at the end of the day.Swarup, who took charge as vice chancellor of Baba Amte Divyang University in July 2023, moved high court challenging the governor’s decision. Appearing for the academic, senior advocate RN Mathur argued that the complaint wastaken up after an “inordinate delay” and that no action could have been initiated against him under the Rajasthan University Act after he demitted office as Rajasthan University VC.“The entire action is vitiated by mala fides,” Mathur submitted, adding that the order was issued barely a month before Dr Swarup’s retirement.The petition alleged that the governor acted unilaterally, without verifying the facts, and removed Dr Swarup through an illegal process. It also said the recruitment was conducted transparently by a statutory selection committee comprising the vice chancellor, subject experts, as well as the governor’s own nominee, and that appointments were made collectively on merit.The plea also cited an earlier division bench judgement of the high court upholding the recruitment process. It questioned the inquiry committee’s credibility, alleging that it did not consult key stakeholders or consider that disputes related to the recruitment remain pending before the high court.After hearing the submissions, the court stayed the removal order and restored Dr Swarup to the post pending further proceedings.
