The matter came up before three division benches who observed it was a case of ineligible candidate and the matter should be disposed of immediately, but the university kept delaying it.
Declaring the election of Subhash Athavale as senate member of Mumbai University null and void, K Sankaranarayanan, governor and chancellor of universities, has implicated RD National College principal Dinesh Panjwani, former Mumbai University pro vice-chancellor AD Sawant and university registrar K Venkatramani in the case.
“The former governor (Jamir) had instructed the university in 2008 that a librarian cannot contest the senate election,” said Bombay University and College Teachers’ Union (Buctu) president CR Sadasivan.
Buctu members, BR Salve and V Shekade, had filed a writ petition in HC in January 2009 objecting to Athavale’s appointment. They said since Athavale did not have the requisite five years’ teaching experience, he was not eligible. The order, passed on March 5, upholds this argument. Athavale, who became senate member in 2008, is a librarian.
The matter came up before three division benches who observed it was a case of ineligible candidate and the matter should be disposed of immediately, but the university kept delaying it.
In January 2010, the court had directed the chancellor’s office to decide the matter within two months.
The order says that Sawant’s act amounted to violation of the provisions of the statues and acts.
It also says Dinesh Panjwani, the then principal of CHM College, had misled the university by certifying that Athavale had about 10 years’ teaching experience. The order suggests disciplinary action against Panjwani.
“It’s unfortunate that a librarian’s experience is not considered as teaching experience,” Panjwani said.
The order also says that Venkatramani had failed in his duties by accepting the nomination.
Venkatramani could not be reached for comment.
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