It is alleged that Prof. Lokanath faces criminal charges and is not qualified for the position (Image: IANS)
Professor Sharath Ananthamurthy, the professor at the School of Physics of the University of Hyderabad, had challenged the appointment, claiming it violated the rules.
A single tribunal of the Karnataka High Court has postponed the appointment of Prof. Lokanath NK as Vice Chancellor of the University of Mysore. Professor Sharath Ananthamurthy, the professor at the School of Physics of the University of Hyderabad, had challenged the appointment, claiming it violated the rules.
It is alleged that Prof. Lokanath is facing criminal charges and is not qualified for the position. On Wednesday, the court ordered the provisional suspension and adjourned the hearing.
The 5th Defendant (Prof Lokanath) is not eligible to be considered for the post of Vice Chancellor. His candidacy has been rejected by putting his name on the merit list on the grounds that his nomination is contested and so the search committee has recommended the names by merit and forwarded to the state government,” the petition says.
However, authorities, in alleged violation of clause 7.3.0 of the UGC regulations, recommended his name to the panel, the petition alleges.
Prof Sharath had applied for the post of Vice Chancellor on 18 November 2022.
Another applicant, Prof. H. Rajashekar, had approached the HC to challenge the comments against his name on the master list.
The HC removed that petition on March 6, 2023 and instructed the authorities to appoint the VC strictly according to the rules.
The search committee submitted a new list of three names on March 16, including the name of Prof. Lokanath NK.
prof. Sharath has claimed in his new petition to the HC that this was done despite Lokanath not being eligible. Lokanath was selected as VC on 23 March.
Prof Sharath has said he is considered for the position but was not considered.
The petitioner is fully eligible and qualified to be considered for selection and appointment as Vice-Chancellor as he will not be disqualified. Nevertheless, the 5th Defendant, otherwise ineligible, has been selected and appointed and the same has resulted in the petitioner’s merit being overlooked, resulting in denial of the petitioner’s right to be selected, which in its turn has caused irreparable damage to the petitioner even though he is eligible on all counts which he has been denied,’ the petition claimed.
Prof Sharath is the son of the popular Kannada writer, late UR Ananthamurthy.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)