Bombay High Court didn't record my important arguments, says Rajan Welukar

Vice chancellor Rajan Welukar has filed a detailed application seeking clarification on the November 11 order of the Bombay High Court, which held that the search committee had erred in shortlisting his name for the post of VC. Welukar's application states the order doesn't reflect an important argument of his counsel.

He filed the application on Tuesday before a bench headed by justice PV Hardas.

His application states his counsel had pointed to an affidavit of the chairman of the search committee. The affidavit had specified the five relevant publications which were considered while shortlisting Welukar's name.

The affidavit also said the shortlisted candidates were called for an interaction-cum-discussion with the committee and were asked to send a presentation. "It is categorically stated that whilst carrying out the process of shortlisting, the committee fully checked the individual's qualifications in terms of eligibility criteria, including the post-PhD research publications in peer-reviewed journals… therefore, the allegations and insinuations made to the contrary, vis-à-vis the decision-making process of the committee, are denied," the affidavit had stated.

Welukar's application prays that the bench record (his counsel's arguments) and appropriately clarify its position.

The issue of Welukar's appointment came to HC after PILs were filed by social workers Nitin Deshpande and Vasant Ganu Patil, as well as a petition by AD Sawant, former vice chancellor of Rajasthan university, all of whom challenged his appointment and contended that he was adopting delaying tactics as his tenure is due to expire.