Disciplinary Committee clears names of NALSAR faculty accused in Judges Report Finds no case of abuse of position

A disciplinary committee appointed to examine the charges framed against NALSAR Professors Vijender Kumar and KVS Sarma has found both of them innocent and has cleared them of all the charges mentioned in the Judges Committee Report submitted in September 2011. The disciplinary committee has further held that the professors were not given an opportunity to present their version of the facts before the Judges Committee..In September 2011, a four-member team headed by retired Supreme Court Judge, S. Qaudri appointed to probe the complaints lodged by the faculty and the students of NALSAR had submitted its report (Judges Committee Report) framing several charges against the professors. The Judges Committee Report, amongst other things, highlighted charges of favoritism against the then Vice Chancellor, Veer Singh; fourteen charges against Prof. Vijender Kumar as well as several charges against Prof. KVS Sarma, the recently appointed Registrar of the University..The Judges Committee Report was thereafter presented before the Academic Council of the University in July 2012, following which a disciplinary enquiry was ordered. The 30-page disciplinary report, prepared by Senior Advocate and Chairman of the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh, Narsimha Reddy, has found absolutely no substance in the charges framed against both the Professors. In fact, the disciplinary report observes:.“It is very clear from the Judges Committee Report that no notice or personal opportunity was given to the professors concerned seeking their explanation with regard to the above charges.”.The Judges Committee Report does state that it had relied largely on facts placed on record, and had deliberately chosen not to report those allegations made against a “senior faculty member” which were not substantiated..Sources within NALSAR indicate that the charges framed in the Judges Committee Report are based on assertions made by two “rival camps” in the faculty. Bar & Bench contacted NALSAR’s Vice-Chancellor, Faizan Mustafa, who declined to comment on the report itself..However, Prof. Mustafa did state that this was the first time a Registrar was appointed in a completely transparent manner. “We had an open advertisement, a Selection Committee was formed,” explains Prof. Mustafa, “The names of the candidates were then forwarded to the Executive Council. This is the first time in 14 years that this has happened.”