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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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
