By Tejas

Pune, September 20, 2024: In a significant development, Dr. Ajit Ranade has challenged the decision to cancel his appointment as Vice chancellor of the University of Gokhale Institute of Political Science and Economics of Pune in the Bombay High Court. In this case, the Bombay High Court has given temporary relief to Ranade, halting the implementation of his removal order until the next hearing.

Dr. Ajit Ranade had challenged the decision yesterday and requested an urgent hearing on his petition to the court. However, as the regular bench of the Bombay High Court was not available on Thursday, his petition will now be heard on Monday, September 23. However, the High Court has issued instructions that the decision of his removal should not be implemented till then.

This instruction was given by the bench of Justice Mahesh Sonak and Justice Kamal Khata.

The Chancellor had previously extended the deadline for Dr. Ranade's relief from his post until Saturday, September 21. However, the High Court has specified that the September 14 decision should not be enforced until Dr. Ranade's petition is heard, allowing him the chance to present his case.

What is the case?

Dr. Ajit Ranade was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Gokhale Institute of Political Science and Economics of Pune on February 4, 2022, for a period of five years. However, on Saturday, a fact-finding committee of the University Grant Commission concluded that Ranade's appointment did not meet the required teaching experience criteria set forth by the UGC.

After that, he received a termination letter from the Chancellor, Bibek Debroy. Meanwhile, Dr. Ajit Ranade has appealed against the order of UGC's fact-finding committee, claiming that the search and selection committee members had full knowledge about his experience at the time of his appointment.