HC quashes Prof Lokanath’s appointment as VC of Mysore University

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: A single-judge bench of the High Court of Karnataka has quashed the March 23 appointment of Prof. Lokanath NK as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mysore.

The Court also directed the State Government to follow procedure and appoint a new VC to the University.

On Tuesday, the single judge bench of Justice NS Sanjay Gowda ordered quashing of the appointment in its judgement on a petition filed by Prof Sharath Ananthamurthy, the Professor, School of Physics, University of Hyderabad.

Sharath Ananthamurthy, who also happens to be the son of the late Jnanpith Award winning Kannada writer, the late UR Ananthamurthy had challenged the appointment alleging that it was in violation of rules. It is alleged that Prof Lokanath faces criminal charges and is not qualified for the post. 

The petition had alleged that Prof Lokanath) was not eligible to be considered for the post of Vice-Chancellor and the authorities in alleged violation of Clause 7.3.0 of the UGC regulations recommended his name in the panel of candidates.

Prof Sharath had filed his application for the post of Vice Chancellor on November 18, 2022. Another applicant, Prof H Rajashekar had approached the HC challenging the remarks made against his name in the main list.

The HC on March 6, 2023 disposed of that petition directing the authorities to appoint the VC strictly in accordance with rules. The Search Committee submitted a fresh list of three names that included the name of Prof.Lokanath NK on March 16.

Prof Sharath in his petition before the HC has claimed that this was done despite Lokanath being ineligible. Lokanath was selected as the VC on March 23.