SC questions Naima Khatoon’s appointment as AMU VC, cites husband’s presence in selection meeting
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday raised questions over the appointment of Professor Naima Khatoon as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, noting that her husband, Professor Mohd. Gulrez, who was then officiating VC, attended the Executive Council meeting that shortlisted her name.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, was hearing a petition filed by Professors Muzaffar Uruj Rabbani and Faizan Mustafa challenging the Allahabad High Court’s order upholding Khatoon’s appointment.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the process was vitiated since Prof. Gulrez presided over the meeting in which his wife’s name was included in the panel sent to the Visitor. “If this is the way Vice Chancellors are appointed, I shudder to think what will happen in future,” Sibal remarked.
The CJI observed that ideally Prof. Gulrez should have recused himself. “Normally, even when we sit in the collegium, if a junior from the bar is under consideration, we recuse. Certainly, the husband’s participation when the wife’s name is under consideration raises doubts. Things should not only be done properly but also be seen to be done properly,” CJI Gavai said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta acknowledged that recusal would have been ideal but cited the “doctrine of necessity” from the Tata Cellular case to defend the process.
During the hearing, Justice Chandran recused himself, noting his past role as ex-officio Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, where petitioner Prof. Faizan Mustafa had been appointed as VC. The matter will now be heard by a bench excluding Justice Chandran.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati defended Khatoon’s credentials, describing her as a scholar with a “stellar academic record” who created history as the first woman VC of AMU.
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Bengaluru: Four arrested for housebreaking, threats, extortion; fake PSI among accused
Bengaluru: Vidyaranyapura police have arrested four persons, including a man posing as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), for allegedly breaking into a house, threatening the occupants, and extorting money while wearing police uniforms.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mallikarjuna, Pramod, Vinay, and Hrithik.
Police said the accused had hatched a plan to pose as police personnel, conduct fake raids, and extort money from residents by intimidation.
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According to the police, Mallikarjuna had failed the PSI examination twice and later falsely projected himself as a PSI. He allegedly conducted photo shoots in his hometown, Siraguppa, wearing a police uniform, baton, cap, and shoes, claiming to be serving as a PSI in Bengaluru.
On December 7, the four accused allegedly went to the house of Naveen in the Vidyaranyapura limits, threatened him with a stick and an iron rod, and claimed they had information that he was selling ganja. Under the pretext of searching, they allegedly extorted ₹87,000 through bank transfer, ₹53,000 in cash kept in the house, and ₹2,000 from his wallet.
Following Naveen’s complaint, Vidyaranyapura police registered a case and launched an operation, leading to the arrest of all four accused. Police have seized ₹45,000 in cash and the car used to commit the crime.
Further investigation is underway.
