HARIDWAR: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has deemed the reinstatement of Roop Kishore Shastri as vice-chancellor of Haridwar's Gurukul Kangri University and the appointment of Sudarshan Sharma as chancellor as "illegal".
UGC deputy secretary Jitendra sent an email to the university on June 7 regarding the same. Shastri's unsuccessful attempt to assume the position of vice-chancellor on Wednesday was supported by a letter from Sudarshan Sharma, claiming legal appointment as chancellor by the university's apex bodies.
In response, the UGC requested that the university not implement Sharma's orders due to an ongoing court case. Shastri was previously suspended and removed based on a UGC inquiry committee's recommendation. The court appointed an ombudsman, justice V K Bist (retd), to oversee all actions by university authorities.
The UGC letter read that "Sharma's appointment and Shastri's reinstatement violate the court's order". Additionally, the UGC's 'Regulations 2023' stipulate that government appointment is required for chancellors and vice-chancellors of universities receiving over 50% UGC grants. Therefore, "the appointments at Gurukul Kangri University are in violation of these regulations". Attempts to contact Shastri for comment were unsuccessful.
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