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In the petition, Professor Mujahid Baig alleged that irregularities were made in the appointment process to benefit the special candidate.
Prayagraj: I’m not sure what to do. The Allahabad High Court on Saturday dismissed the petition challenging the appointment of Naima Khatoon as the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). In his petition, Professor Mujahid Baig alleged that irregularities were done in the appointment process to benefit the special candidate. Earlier on April 9, a bench of Justice Ashwini Kumar Mishra and Justice Donadi Ramesh reserved its verdict after hearing the petitioner as well as the lawyers of the university and the central government.
Allegations- Naima’s husband was presiding over the selection process
The petitioner had alleged that the rules were violated in the selection of 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. After looking at the materials on the record, the court said, “However, we believe that Professor Gulrez Ahmed should not have chaired the meeting of the Executive Council and the University Court and not participate in it,
Professor Naima is eligible for the post of Vice Chancellor: HC
The court said that even then, considering the limited recommended role of the Executive Council and the University Court in appointing the Vice Chancellor, we believe that Professor Gulrez Ahmed’s participation in such action has not affected the selection proceedings. On Khatoon’s merit for the post, the court said, “It is worth noting that Professor Naima Khatoon is unquestionably qualified for appointment to the post of Vice Chancellor. We have been told that no woman has been appointed as Vice Chancellor in the history of more than one century of the university.
The question in such circumstances is whether this court would remove the first woman Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University only because her husband chaired the meeting of the Executive Council and the University Court, in which her name was included in the panel to be sent to the visitor? The answer is definitely ‘no’, “the court also said. The court also said,” We have already seen that Professor Naima Khatoon is not a qualification issue to be appointed as Vice Chancellor.
The court will not interfere in the discretion of visitor
The court said that his final selection is made by the visitor, against whom no allegations of bias have been made. They were the principal of the women’s school. The court said, “On the basis of the above mentioned reasons and discussions, we believe that no interference should be made in the discretion used by the visitor in appointing Professor Naima Khatoon from the panel of three names recommended by the University Court as the first female vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.
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