The High Court, on Monday, rejected Karnataka State Women University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Syeda Akhtar’s petition challenging validity of the inquiry proceedings initiated against her.

The VC of the first women’s university in the State, established in Bijapur, Dr Syeda had challenged the legal validity of inquiry proceedings initiated against her on alleged misappropriation of funds and official favours during recruitment.

She had impugned the Government notification concerning constitution of Justice S R Venkatesh Murthy Inquiry Commission in 2006, his report submitted in February 2007, subsequent constitution of one-man Inquiry Committees first headed by Justice P S Kulkarni and then by Justice M P Chinnappa.

She had also challenged the validity of the charge sheet issued by Justice M P Chinnappa Committee on Aug 20, 2007.

She had stated that the inquiry was following the internal disturbances caused due to the parallel administration run by University’s Registrar, G V Sugur. While contesting the legal validity of the proceedings, she had said that State government was acting without application of mind.

She contended that Government could not have commissioned three inquiry committees, varying the terms of reference from time to time.

She also had contended that she was being targeted and singled out since she belonged to a religious minority community. Considering and refuting all the contentions, the Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph opined that inquiry proceedings were in accordance with the provisions of Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000.
The State government is justified in constituting the inquiry committees and there is no ground for interference, the Bench said.

Inquiry
The inquiry proceedings were initiated to inquire into the VC’s “style of working.”  The charges framed by Justice M P Chinnappa committee has accused her of doing official favours during certain recruitments while flouting University Rules and Regulations, misappropriation of funds and non-maintenance of proper accounts.

 Ahmed in court
Former Housing Minister Sageer Ahmed was before the High Court, on Monday, in response to the Court notice seeking his explanation for his recommendations to drop acquisition of certain lands notified for an approved project of Karnataka Housing Board during 2004.

Recommendations
Sageer Ahmed  was present along with his counsel, before Justice N Kumar who had sought his say about his recommendations for dropping certain land acquisitions in city.

In the course of a writ petition by some land owners, the judge had observed that the minister’s recommendations were seemingly unjustified.

Mr Sageer Ahmed’s counsel sought two weeks time to file an affidavit explaining the minister’s stand in the matter, following which the Court adjourned the hearing.