By Our Staff Reporter
Nainital, 2 Dec: The Uttarakhand High Court has issued a notice to Interim Chairperson of IIM Kashipur, Sandeep Singh, questioning why he should not be removed from his position. The High Court observed that Sandeep Singh’s tenure was initially set for three months starting from 9 August 2019, as per the notification dated 5 December 2018 of the Ministry of Higher Education (now called IIM 2018 rules 3(2)) but he has continued till date without any further orders.
In a hearing held, today, the division bench of the Uttarakhand High Court headed by Justice Alok Verma was astonished to find that Sandeep Singh’s three-month tenure had extended to six years. The court has asked the respondents, including the Union of India, the Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Sandeep Singh, and Somnath Chakraborty, Director in charge of IIM Kashipur, to file a counter-affidavit within four weeks, by 23 December 2024 and explain.
It may also be recalled that, earlier, while hearing the case of Prof Kunal of IIM Kashipur, who had been removed as Chairperson for the Media and Public Relations Cell of IIM Kashipur by Sandeep Singh, the High Court granted a stay vide orders passed by the acting Chief Justice-led division bench on 28 November 2024 in WP SB 722 of 2024.
It may also be recalled that Prof Kunal had been relieved from his charge as Chairperson of Media and Public Relations at IIM Kashipur by the Director in charge because Kunal had allegedly opposed the misuse of an amount of Rs. 12.5 lakhs related to the student welfare fund to publish a paid advertorial to clarify a contempt notice against Sandeep Singh. This action led to friction, as Sandeep Singh was facing a contempt notice from the High Court for continuing as Interim Chairperson beyond his initial three-month appointment, extended 20 times from 2019 to 2024.
The petition filed by Prof Kunal has sought the removal of Sandeep Singh from the post of Interim Chairperson, stating that the maximum period for an Interim Chairperson at IIM Kashipur cannot exceed three months, with a maximum Chairperson tenure of four years as per the rules. Sandeep Singh’s tenure has exceeded both limits since 2019, thus violating the IIM 2018 rules published in the official gazette.
The Chief Justice led division bench of the Uttarakhand High Court, while granting a stay in favour of Prof Kunal, has also issued a notice to the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Education and the Director of IIM Kashipur, directing them to file a counter-affidavit within four weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for 23 December 2024. The stay means that Prof Kunal will continue as Chairperson of the Media and Public Relations Cell at IIM Kashipur, irrespective of the relieving order issued by the Interim Director of IIM Kashipur, Sandeep Singh.
