‘Convener forced us to give nod to Chelladurai’

In the petition filed by Anthony Raj at the High Court, he had stated that the present V-C of MKU, Chelladurai, has no qualifications to be appointed as such. Chelladurai did not serve as Professor for 10 years, which is a mandatory qualification for becoming a V-C and apart from that he has a case pending against him at Nagamalai Pudukottai station. 

Also, the V-C is rapidly filling vacant posts in the MKU. The petitioner asked when he is not eligible for the post, how can he fill the vacant posts and prayed the court to declare the appointment of Chelladurai as invalid. He also asked the court to strike down the appointments made by him. 

When the petition was heard on Tuesday, sixth and seventh respondents, Harish L Mehta and G Ramakrishnan, who were members of the V-C search committee, filed counter affidavits in the court. In their counter affidavits, they had said that despite their opposition to Chelladurai the convener of the search committee Murugadas was adamant in appointing him.

Ramakrishnan, in his counter, said, “Convener had compelled me to give my consent (for Chelladurai) and to put my signature.” Though he had submitted the proof of pending case against Chelladurai and the proof that he had not worked as professor for 10 years, his recommendations were brushed aside and the convener continued with his recommendation to the Chancellor. 

Following the counter affidavit, court had directed the principal secretary of state Higher Education Department, convener of V-C search committee and also Chelladurai to file a counter in the case and adjourned it to August 16.