Probe against AU V-C: HC suggests settling issue out of court

Chennai

While a public interest litigation had been moved challenging the GO and the V-C also moving another plea seeking to implead himself to explain his position, a division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice B Pugalendhi observed that the litigation arising out of the order directing an inquiry against the Vice Chancellor would be better served by getting it sorted out of court, as high dignitaries holding responsible positions were involved.

Leading the bench, Justice Kirubakaran also noted that the court was concerned with the impact of the litigation on the education system in the State, the interest of student community in over 566 colleges affiliated to the prestigious university, the public office of Vice-Chancellor and the State government as a fall out of the litigation.

Advocate General Vijay Narayan vehemently opposed the impleading plea on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction and said the V-C had resorted to forum shopping by filing the case in Madurai instead of going before the principal seat. He added that it was a service matter and thus could not be heard as a PIL. However, the bench admitted the PIL and the impleading petition, and adjourned the matter for further hearing to December 9.