West Bengal Govt, Governor Agree To 6 More Vice Chancellor Appointments; Remaining To Be Resolved By Supreme Court

In the matter pertaining to the appointment of Vice Chancellors for West Bengal Universities, the Supreme Court was informed today that the State government and the Governor are in agreement over the recommendation of 6 more candidates as VCs.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi heard the matter and indicated that for appointment of VCs to the remaining universities, the matter will be taken up in-chamber.

"It is clear that there is no impediment in appointment of VCs to following universities...Calcutta University, Biswa Bangla Biswabidyalaya, Sadhu Ram Chand Murmu University of Jhargram, Gour Banga University, Kazi Nazrul University, Jadavpur University...As regards to remaining universities, matter shall be taken up in chamber", the bench recorded.

Orally, Justice Kant remarked during the hearing, "Let us not discuss the candidates in open Court...right now whatever is agreeable, let those go through. Where the ld. Chancellor has agreed to Committee recommendation, there you (State) should also agree".

To recap, the Court earlier modified the directions issued in July and left it upon Justice UU Lalit-led Committee to determine its own order of preference regarding Vice-Chancellor appointments for 15 universities. On September 22, it found from a report that the Committee members were unanimous in their views qua 12 candidates' appointment. There was however divergence in views regarding appointment of VCs for 3 universities.

Subsequently, the views of the Governor and the State government on the unanimous recommendations were placed before the Court. On September 26, the Court asked the Governor and the Chief Minister to furnish reasons behind their reservations, if any, about certain candidates recommended by the Committee.

Appearance: Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta and Dr AM Singhvi (for State of West Bengal); Attorney General R Venkataramani (for Governor CV Ananda Bose)

Note: On October 6, the Court was informed that the Governor and the CM were in agreement over 8 more candidates' names (including those recommended for Raiganj University and North Bengal University). The same was recorded in the order. However, on October 7, AG Venkataramani mentioned the matter and clarified that candidates for only 6 universities, as mentioned above, were approved by the Governor. Accordingly, the bench made changes to the order.

Case Title: State of West Bengal v. Dr. Sanat Kumar Ghosh & Ors. | Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 17403 of 2023 

Click Here To Read/Download Order