GNLU’s General Council vetoes extension of Director’s tenure; Says Executive Council must first examine Menon Report

The General Council of the Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU) recently vetoed a proposal to renew the current Director’s tenure that expires in November this year. Turning down the proposal, made by GNLU’s Executive Council (EC), the General Council (GC) has decided that the EC must first examine the report recently submitted by the first GNLU Review Commission, headed by Prof. Madhava Menon..As reported by Bar & Bench, two of the three Review Commission members had submitted a joint report on the functioning of GNLU. The report contained several adverse findings with respect to the administration of GNLU, highlighting the need for an “effective grievances redressal mechanism” within the institute. The third member, Prof. Bakul Dholakia, is expected to submit his findings soon..Speaking to Bar & Bench, NLU Delhi’s Registrar, Prof. SD Rao (who attended the GC meeting as a nominee of GC member and VC at NLU Delhi, Dr. Ranbir Singh) confirmed that GNLU’s Visitor, Justice Dave of the Supreme Court, had directed Prof. Bakul Dholakia to submit his report soon. Furthermore, both the reports of the Review Commission would then be placed before the EC, which would then study the reports and forward its recommendations to the General Council..Prof. Rao also said that a final decision in this regard would be taken at the next GC meeting, scheduled for September this year. Dr. Patel, the current Director at GNLU, did not respond to e-mailed queries..It will be interesting to see the EC’s reaction to these developments, given that Prof. Menon’s report was critical of the manner in which GNLU was being run. In fact, one of the most scathing comments made by the two-member report, relate to the EC’s power to overrule the Selection Committee and appoint an individual to the post of Director..In other related news, the final list of names for the new Vice Chancellor at NLIU, Bhopal have been sent to the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and a decision is expected soon. Meanwhile, the selection procedure for the new Vice Chancellor at NLU Jodhpur is, according to sources, in the final stages.