NLSIU Registrar Prof OV Nandimath resigns, to continue as faculty

Registrar of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore, Prof OV Nandimath has resigned from his post, even as the controversy surrounding the delayed appointment of Prof Sudhir Krishnaswamy as Vice-Chancellor came to a close this week.

Students were informed of Prof Nandimath’s resignation as Registrar via WhatsApp. It is understood that he will continue as a faculty member at NLSIU.

According to sources, Prof Nandimath’s resignation was accepted by the 89th Executive Council, which held its meeting yesterday.

Prof Nandimath had earlier offered to resign as Registrar at the 88th Executive Council meeting held in July. However, after due deliberations, the EC had then decided to extend his tenure as Registrar for another two years. He had also requested to recuse himself as ex-officio Secretary to the EC, but the administration had refused the same.

The outgoing Registrar had found himself in the eye of the storm, when NLSIU students began protesting the undue delay in the appointment of Prof Sudhir Krishnaswamy as Vice-Chancellor.

Protests began last week, when students decided to boycott classes. The sit-in protest was held in light of information that there was likely to be a change in the composition of the Executive Council (EC) of NLSIU, which would, in turn, have a bearing on the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor.

The protests continued even as the Registrar and the Vice-Chancellor (FAC) Prof MK Ramesh addressed the students, who put forth certain questions to the administration. As the deadlock continued, students decided to boycott their exams.

However, the protests were called off after Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justice SA Bobdeoffered some clarity as to the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor of the University. It was made clear that only a formal decision as to Prof Krishnaswamy’s appointment was to be taken by CJI Ranjan Gogoi (who is the Chancellor of the University).

Prof Krishnaswamy subsequently took charge as Vice-Chancellor on September 25.

The Student Bar Association (SBA) had earlier alleged that the Registrar was responsible for the delay of Prof Krishnaswamy’s appointment.