Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court on Saturday dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of Naima Khatoon as Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
In his petition, Prof. Mujahid Beg alleged there were irregularities in the appointment process in order to favour the particular candidate.
About The Case
Earlier on April 9, a bench of justices Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Donadi Ramesh had reserved its judgement after hearing counsels for the petitioner as well as of the university and the central government.
The petitioner alleged that rules were violated in selecting Khatoon, wife of Mohammad Gulrez who was acting as vice-chancellor before the appointment.
According to the petition, Gulrez was presiding over the selection process despite his wife being a contender.
Observations Made By The Court
After going through the materials on record, the court observed, "Though, we are of the opinion that Professor Gulrez Ahmad ought not to have presided and participated in the meeting of Executive Council and the University Court, yet, considering the nature of appointment process and the limited recommendatory role of Executive Council and University Court in making of appointment of VC, we are of the considered view that participation of Professor Gulrez Ahmad in such proceedings has not vitiated the selection proceedings."
On Khatoon's qualification for the post, the court said, "It is worth noticing that Professor Naima Khatoon undisputedly possesses qualification for appointment to the post of Vice-Chancellor. We are informed that in the history of the University for well over a century, no woman has ever been appointed as Vice-chancellor."
"Appointment of woman as Vice-Chancellor of a premier institution of higher learning sends a message that the constitutional objective of advancement of cause of women is being promoted. In such circumstances, the question is as to whether this court would unseat the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University only because her husband had presided over the meeting of Executive Council and University Court, which included her name in the panel to be send to the Visitor? The answer has to be a definite no," added the court.
The court also said, "We have already noticed that the qualification of Professor Naima Khatoon to be appointed as the Vice-Chancellor is not in issue. Her ultimate selection is by the Visitor against whom no allegation of bias is made. She was erstwhile Principal of Women's College of the University." "For the reasons and deliberations held above, we hold that discretion exercised by the Visitor in appointing Professor Naima Khatoon as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University from a panel of three names recommended by the University Court merits no interference," the court said.
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