IIT-M told to follow reservation in selection

A division bench comprising Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice M Dhandapani passing interim orders on a writ appeal filed by Dr E Muralidharan of Alwarpet, said, “The Higher Education, MHRD, can go on with the process of selection of faculty to Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) by following the roster and the reservation policy, but however the same is subject to the result of the writ appeal. If there is any violation in the process of selection without adhering to the principles of reservation violating Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution, it would attract serious penal consequences.” 

The bench passed the interim orders on the appeal challenging the order of a single judge upholding the appointment of Dr Bhaskar Ramamurthi as Director of IIT-M and the miscellaneous petition seeking CBI investigation into the faulty recruitment being held by the above director.

Muralidharan had contended that the single Judge had erred by failing to account for the fact that the appointment of Bhaskar Ramamurthi was not sent to the Appointment Committee of Cabinet (ACC), a mandatory provision, where the Prime Minister of India is the Chairman for ACC. Along with this, clearances from the Chief Vigilance Commissioner and the Intelligence Bureau, which are essential, were not procured.

Further noting that the single judge also erred to note that the Ministry on by passing the ACC had fraudulently obtained approval from the President of India, the petitioner submitted that the appointment of Bhaskar Ramamurthi suffers from violation of rules and hence ought to be set-aside.

Apart from this, Muralidharan also filed a miscellaneous petition seeking a stay on the recruitment of faculty in progress. He contended that the recruitment was being conducted hurriedly and appointments made without proper roaster-based advertisements and in violation of the reservation policies meant for SC, ST and OBCs. Based on this, he sought for a direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the recruitment being held the director. The division bench on passing the interim order posted the matter for further hearing to June 6.