Chhattisgarh High Court Examines Vice-Chancellor Appointment at Horticulture University Amidst Allegations of Irregularities

A legal challenge has emerged regarding the appointment of Dr. R.R. Saxena as Vice-Chancellor at the Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture and Forestry in Chhattisgarh. The High Court has intervened, issuing notices to both the state government and the university to address concerns surrounding the selection process. The central question before the court is whether the appointment complied with established legal frameworks and merit-based criteria. Dr. Avnindra Kumar Singh has brought forth the case, alleging a lack of transparency and a flawed evaluation of candidates’ qualifications. The petition states that despite a field of 38 applicants, only a panel of eight names was forwarded without any comparative assessment of their credentials. Moreover, Dr. Singh disputes the selection committee’s method of evaluating merit and asserts that academic qualifications and professional experience were not adequately analyzed. He maintains that a fair and unbiased evaluation would have favored his candidacy. The university was established by the Chhattisgarh government to foster advancements in horticulture and forestry through education, research, and training. The initial leadership was held by IAS Mahadev Kavre in an acting capacity, followed by the formal selection process for the Vice-Chancellor position. The High Court has initiated its review by issuing notices to the involved parties, seeking clarifications. The court is expected to determine the adherence to procedural and qualification standards in Dr. R.R. Saxena’s appointment. Further developments in the case are anticipated in the near future.