Pune: The Bombay high court on Monday adjourned till Sept 25 the hearing of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics ( GIPE ) vice-chancellor Ajit Ranade 's petition challenging his removal from the post and seeking his reinstatement. An order passed on Monday by the HC registrar judicial-I stated, "Due to paucity of time the matter is adjourned to September 25, 2024. In case any ad-interim/interim relief is operating till today (Monday), the said order will continue to operate till the next date.
If ad-interim/interim relief is not granted for a limited period, the said order will remain unaffected." GIPE chancellor Vivek Debroy had issued the order to remove Ranade from the VC's post on Sept 14 based on a three-member fact-finding committee's report. It found him not meeting the eligibility criteria for the post.
The committee was set up following a complaint that Ranade's appointment violated the UGC norms. On Ranade's request, the chancellor had allowed him to continue as VC till Sept 21 to complete certain formalities. Ranade later moved the HC and at the last hearing on Sept 18, Justice M S Sonak had directed the GIPE not to give effect to the removal order till Sept 23 to enable Ranade to canvas his case before a regular bench.
The matter was listed for hearing before the bench of Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice M M Sathaye on Monday..