Pune: The high court on Thursday clarified that the seniormost professor assigned with administrative functions of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) could continue with its day-to-day functions because an ad-interim relief granted earlier only meant that Ajit Ranade could continue as vice-chancellor . The bench of Justice M S Sonak and Justice Kamal Katha posted for Oct 4 the next hearing of Ranade's petition challenging GIPE chancellor Vivek Debroy's order removing him from the post of vice-chancellor (VC) and seeking reinstatement. The court's observation came after additional solicitor-general of India Devang Vyas informed the bench that certain administrative functions of the institute were assigned to seniormost professor Shankar Das, but there were some difficulties in carrying them out on account of the high court's earlier order.
The bench said, "...
, we clarify that nothing in the statement or ad-interim order was intended to produce this result. The statement/ad-interim relief only means that the petitioner continues as vice-chancellor, but the seniormost professor can continue with the day-to-day functions so that the functioning of the (GIPE, a deemed) university is not hampered in any manner." After the removal order, Ranade had sought time from the GIPE chancellor to let him continue as VC till Sept 21 to enable him complete certain formalities.
The chancellor allowed his plea. Ranade later moved the high court challenging his removal. The h.
