Guv appointing VCs in state-run varsities not illegal: Calcutta HC

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday upheld Governor CV Ananda Bose's decision to appoint interim Vice-Chancellors in 11 state-run Universities and said that the appointments by the West Bengal governor as chancellor of these universities, was not illegal.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, ordered the state government to immediately resume the payment of salaries of the VCs and other dues, which were reportedly stopped recently by the state government. The development comes amid the ongoing tussle between the Governor and the state government over the appointment of VCs on a temporary basis.

A PIL was filed before the division bench, comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, by a retired professor, challenging the appointment of interim vice-chancellors to 11 state universities. The Governor and the West Bengal government were made parties to the PIL.


The petitioner and the state government claimed that the orders on the appointment of the vice-chancellors were illegal. They submitted before the court that the higher education department was not consulted by the Governor. However, the High Court held that the chancellor has the power to appoint vice-chancellors. Bose, who is in North Bengal, said, "The Calcutta High Court has given a judgement today. The vice-chancellors will do whatever is required now. They show the way and know what to do."

The universities, in which the interim vice-chancellors were appointed on June 1, include the University of Calcutta, University of Kalyani and Jadavpur University.

Vice-chancellor of Calcutta University, Shanta Dutta, said, "I am relieved with the court order. We had full faith in the decision of the Chancellor."

Meanwhile, Bose held a meeting with the vice-chancellors of various universities in North Bengal's Siliguri on Wednesday.