Pandey challenges dismissal before Delhi HC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 14 2020: Former Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Professor Adya Prasad Pandey has filed an application before the High Court of Delhi challenging an advertisement of the Union of India dated March 16 for appointment of a new Vice Chancellor and the dismissal order issued against him.

Challenging an earlier dismissal order passed against him based on the findings of a two member enquiry committee, AP Pandey said that no show cause was given to him nor any explanation sought before the two member panel was constituted vide a notification dated August 17, 2018 .

No charge sheet/imputations list of witnesses/documents etc were drawn, before the enquiry committee was constituted and no charge sheet/ imputations list of witnesses/documents etc were drawn even after the enquiry committee was constituted, alleged the petition.

The enquiry committee proceeded only under the undated "terms and reference" as drawn by Professor Dorendrajit who had no authorities either to draw the terms of reference/charge sheet or to act as the Nodal officer, said the petition.

No material was also provided to AP Pandey nor given any opportunity to state his stand, before the enquiry committee, alleged the former VC of MU.

Other persons/witnesses were however asked to submit their documents and statements, it added.

It was only on September 16, 2018 that AP Pandey was asked to file his defence along with documents to support his stand but no charge sheet, imputation documents and list of documents/witnesses if any was ever supplied, alleged the former VC.

No time was given for filing written statement, alleged the former VC and added that on September 28, statements of witnesses were recorded against him.

An order was issued on October 20, 2018 to take actions against AP Pandey, but the report did not reveal the action, if any, taken by the Government of India, alleged the former VC further.

The conclusion reached by the enquiry committee was based on no evidence but mere conjectures, alleged AP Pandey in his petition.

Without giving any opportunity to present his case, AP Pandey was held guilty on 18 charges, alleged the former VC of MU .

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