The Orissa High Court on Thursday ordered a stay on the publication of the final result of the ongoing interviews to select the new Vice-Chancellor of the Ravenshaw University, Cuttack. The court, however, allowed the interviews to continue but said the final results shall not be announced without the leave of the court.
The order came while the High Court was adjudicating a writ petition filed by eminent Geology Professor Dr Nachiketa Das, who had retired as Professor and Head of the Geology Department of the university in February 2016. Dr Das was one of the aspirants for the post of Vice-Chancellor, but his application was rejected without citing any reasons thereof.
Challenging the decision of the university authorities, Dr Das has approached the High Court alleging that the authorities have deliberately changed the eligibility criteria as prescribed in UGC Regulations of 2010. He has further alleged in his petition that this was done with an ulterior motive only to keep him away from participating in the interview.
Adjudicating the petition, Justice Biswanath Rath adjourned the case to be heard again next Tuesday.
Notably, the tenure of current Vice-Chancellor Prof Prakash Chandra Sarangi is ending on December 31; and after the October advertisement for selection of a new VC, at least 30 candidates have applied for the post, for which the interviews are now underway.