DHARWAD: With Professor HB Walikar all set to take over as the new ViceChancellor of Karnatak University, Dharwad on Monday(Oct 25), his appointment by the Governor has turned into a legal battle.
The High Court Circuit Bench here, which admitted the petition filed by Professor SB Hinchigeri, another aspirant for the post, challenging the appointment of Prof Walikar as the VC, has issued notices. Justice B S Patil issued notices to Karnataka Governor and chancellor of the University HR Bharadwaj, higher education minister Dr VS Acharya and VC designate Professor HB Walikar seeking explanations and has also said that the appointment of Prof Walikar as Karnatak University's VC is subject to the final verdict of the Court.
Hinchigeri in his petition pleaded that the Governor had violated section 14(4) of Karnataka State Universities Act 2000 by appointing Walikar as the VC of Karnatak University (Dharwad) without taking the consent of the state government. He has also pointed out that the section prescribes that the Governor shall appoint a person from a shortlisted panel submitted by the Search Committee after taking consent from the government.
It may be recalled that while the chief minister and higher education minister had recommended Professor Hinchigeri's name for the post of VC, the Governor had appointed Walikar whose name also figured in the list submitted by the Search Committee.
It may be also be recalled here that the state government had openly expressed its displeasure over the Governor's act of appointing Professor HB Walikar as the VC, much against the wishes of the government. Higher Education Minister Dr VS Acharya had gone one step ahead by writing to the Governor, expressing his displeasure, which was condemned by a few organisations.
Professor Walikar is to replace Professor Srinivas Saidapur whose term came to an end today.