HC dismisses plea against Naima Khatoon's appointment as Aligarh VC
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Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition on Saturday challenging the appointment of Naima Khatoon as Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), PTI reported.
The court was deciding on a petition by Prof Mujahid Beg, who alleged that there were irregularities in the appointment process in order to favour a particular candidate.
The petitioner alleged that rules were violated in selecting Khatoon, wife of Mohammad Gulrez, who was acting as vice-chancellor before the appointment.
According to the petition, Gulrez was presiding over the selection process despite his wife being a contender.
A division bench of justices Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Donadi Ramesh said in its order, “Though, we are of the opinion that Professor Gulrez Ahmad ought not to have presided and participated in the meeting of executive council and the university court, yet, considering the nature of appointment process and the limited recommendatory role of executive council and university court in making of appointment of Vice-Chancellor, we are of the considered view that participation of Professor Gulrez Ahmad in such proceedings has not vitiated the selection proceedings,” The Indian Express quoted.
“The change of one member of the Executive Council soon before the holding of the meeting dated 30.10.2023 is also not decisive for such reason,” it added.
“Merely because her husband was acting as vice chancellor and had presided and participated in the meetings of Executive Council and University Court which also recommended her name, in addition to others, for appointment as Vice-Chancellor cannot be a ground to interfere with her appointment as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of the University,” the court order read.
Earlier on April 9, the bench had reserved its judgment after hearing counsels for the petitioner as well as the university and the central government.
