Cuttack: Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, who is the chancellor of universities, has cancelled the appointment of Professor Jagneshwar Dandapat as the in-charge vice-chancellor (VC) of Utkal University.
This information was submitted before the Orissa High Court by the Advocate General on Wednesday during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
The petitioner questioning the legality of the appointment citing that the appointment was a violation of the Odisha Universities Act.
As per the Odisha Universities Act, if a university does not have a regular vice-chancellor, the VC of another university can be appointed as the in-charge. However, in violation of this provision, Biotechnology Professor Jagneshwar Dandapat was appointed as the in-charge vice-chancellor of Utkal University on May 27, said lawyer Prabir Das, who has filed the PIL.
During the hearing, the Advocate General informed the court that the Governor has cancelled Dandapat’s appointment. The HC directed that all future appointments must strictly follow the existing rules, he said.