Appointment of varsity registrar cancelled

The State government has withdrawn the appointment of C Basavaraju as the Registrar of University of Mysore. He has been replaced by Shrijay Devraj Urs, as in-charge registrar.

Basavaraju, Professor of Law Department, University of Mysore, was appointed as professor in 2007 and elevated as the registrar of the varsity on June 24, 2013.

Following allegations of irregularities in the direct appointments made in 2007, the State government had constituted a single-judge commission to probe the matter.

Retired High Court judge Justice H Rangavittalachar, who probed the issue found irregularities in appointments and recommended action against errant persons. Declaration of probationary periods of professors appointed in 2007 was put on hold by the Appointment Authority, following the report. However, Basavaraju was appointed as Registrar of the varsity by the State government, even though his probationary period had not been declared.

An order issued by Prakashrao Kesarkar, Undersecretary, Department of Higher Education, on March 29, 2013, notes that the probationary period of Basavaraju has not yet been declared. “Therefore, Basavaraju is not eligible to be appointed as Registrar of the varsity, under Section 17 of Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000,” the order read.

Around a month ago, a public interest litigation was filed in the High Court of Karnataka questioning Basavaraju’s appointment. The hearing of the petition, which came up on March 24, was deferred to April 1. Meanwhile, the State government decided to withdraw the appointment.

Basavaraju has also filed a petition in the High Court, seeking the intervention of the court to declare his probationary period. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Vice-Chancellor Rangappa said Basavaraju has been reinstated at the Law department, and Shrijay Devraj Urs will take up the responsibilities of the registrar.