The word 'Vishwavidyalaya' as it was contrary to the law and did not fall under the ambit of the University Grants Commission
The Delhi High Court on Thursday has directed the Rohini Ashram run by self-styled godman Virendra Dev Dixit to immediately remove the word 'Vishwavidyalaya' as it was contrary to the law and did not fall under the ambit of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said that the ashram was not a 'Vishwavidyalaya' or a university as defined under the UGC Act and it cannot, therefore, continue to represent itself as one.
Holding that there were serious allegations against the Baba, the court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take all possible measures available under the law to secure the presence of ashram founder Virender Dev Dixit, who has not joined the probe since January.
"Writ petition makes serious allegations against Virender Dev Dixit who is stated to be heading the institution and criminality has been pointed in the functioning of the Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya.
"In view of the above, there is extreme urgency to restrain the usage of word 'vishwavidyalaya'. The ashram is directed to forthwith remove the expression 'vishwavidyalaya' and university," the bench said.
During the earlier hearing, the bench had almost passed an order to remove the word Vishwavidyalaya' but the counsel for the ashram, Amol Kokane sought more time to prove his stand.
Countering the issue raised by DCW chairman, Swati Maliwal that they are still using the word in their title, the court had observed, "You will follow the law. You cannot be called a university and you are not going to use the word 'University'. You are legally prohibited to use this word."
The court also asked the CBI to take the help of Deepak Anthony D'Silva, an associate of the Baba, in tracing his whereabouts.
The court's direction comes while hearing a PIL which had alleged that a sex-racket is being run in the garb of imparting spiritual knowledge at the ashram. The next date of hearing is March 15.
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