Law Students Association Approaches Karnataka High Court Against Continuation Of KSLU Vice Chancellor Allegedly Beyond Prescribed Age Limit

Advocate Vittal B R appearing for the petitioners on Friday submitted that section 14 of the Karnataka State Law University Act of 2009, clearly mentions the term of office of Vice Chancellor. The year of birth of the present Vice Chancellor as stated in the University records is 1955. So in the year 2020 he completed the prescribed age limit of 65 years, it was argued.

Advocate Vittal relied on the documents retrieved by him from the University website. 

However, Justice H T Narendra Prasad hearing the matter, stated, "Mr. you can't submit anything based on the website, you have to produce authenticated documents."

Following which it granted time till March 2 to the petitioners to submit authenticated copies. It observed,

"First satisfy the court that he has crossed 65 years then we can go for other points. You produce his exact date of birth."

As per the petition, Prof. (Dr.) P. Ishwara Bha (Respondent 4) was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of KSLU on 13th June 2018 to administer and run the day to affair of the University.

It is stated that in Chapter III of the KSLU Act, 2009 under the heading "OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY" and under section 14(5) in page number 9,10, & 11 of the Act, the term of office that the Vice Chancellor can hold has been defined.

It is claimed that the present VC, even after fully being aware that he has crossed the age of retirement and is not authorised, has taken many important decisions and performed actions on behalf of the University.

The plea prays for issuance of a direction in the form of a Writ of Quo Warranto for the immediate removal of Respondent No. 4 from the post of KSLU VC, and a direction to  Respondent no. 4 to repay to the University all benefits and money received after the official retirement age.

Further, it is prayed that the state government and the Chancellor of the University be directed to declare all actions taken, circulars and notifications signed and released by Respondent no. 4 after the completion of 65 years of age are illegal and void.

Case Title: Law Students Association v. State of Karnataka

Case No: WP 2125/2022