The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has issued a showcause notice to Pondicherry university vice-chancellor Chandra Krishnamurthy, asking her to explain within 20 days as to why she should not be dismissed over charges of misdemeanour and plagiarism.
The notice was served to the vice-chancellor with the approval of President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday after a three member-committee, set up by the University Grants Commission (UGC), indicted her for plagiarism and misdemeanour including submission of false information in her bio-data, official sources told Deccan Herald.
Krishnamurthy, who has been in the eye of storm for several months, has also been asked by the ministry not to come to her office until further orders.
With issuing of showcause notice, the Ministry has effectively initiated process to remove Krishnamurthy from the post of Pondicherry University’s vice-chancellor.
However, the President, who happens to be the visitor of the university, will take the final call in the matter based on the recommendation of the Ministry.
“The Ministry will take a final view on the issue after examining the vice-chancellor’s reply to the showcause notice issued to her,” sources said.
The Ministry had directed Krishnamurthy to go on a week’s leave last month from August 14.
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