Today, the Supreme Court finally brought an end to the prolonged dispute over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Universities across West Bengal, closing a matter that had remained pending for nearly two and a half years. The Court approved the recommended candidates for the remaining three Universities and directed that their appointments be completed soon after receiving the Governor’s approval.
A Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the “marathon exercise” concerning the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in 36 Universities in the State had now concluded. The controversy had arisen due to a prolonged deadlock between the West Bengal Government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Governor, who also serves as the Chancellor of the Universities.
To resolve the impasse, the Supreme Court had earlier constituted a Search-cum-Selection Committee headed by former Chief Justice of India UU Lalit. Based on the recommendations made by the Committee, the Court had approved names for appointments in phases. With the latest order, all Vice-Chancellor appointments now stand approved or completed.
The Court also appreciated the efforts of Justice UU Lalit’s Committee, the State Governor, Attorney General R Venkataramani, Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta representing the State Government, and the State authorities for eventually cooperating in ensuring that the appointments were carried out through an independent panel headed by a former Chief Justice of India.
The matter had remained pending in relation to three Universities, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad University of Technology, University of North Bengal, and Netaji Subhas Open University. After considering the report submitted by Justice UU Lalit’s Committee, the Bench approved the recommended candidates for all three institutions and directed the State Government to place the names before the Governor for necessary approval. The Court further ordered that the appointments be completed within four weeks from the date of approval.
Case Title: State of West Bengal v. Dr. Sanat Kumar Ghosh & Ors.
Case No.: Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 17403 of 2023
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