HC gives interim ruling on IIT-M Director's appointment

Chennai, Aug 14 (UNI) The Madras High Court has expressed its dissatisfaction over Human Resource Development Ministry (HRD) and the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) for filing a vague counter-affidavit in the court, relating to a case challenging the appointment of the director of IIT-M.

''The appointment of the director of IIT-M shall be subject to the outcome of a quo warranto petition in the High Court questioning the legality of his appointment,'' Justice K Venkataraman said while giving an interim ruling to this effect following a petition filed by E Muralidharan, an engineer and alumnus of the IIT-M.

The judge also asked the IIT-M management and the Centre to file a counter-affidavit to the petition, which levelled several allegations with regard to the manner in which the incumbent director was chosen for the second term in office.

Questioning the authority on which the director held the post, the petitioner prayed for an interim order restraining the official from discharging his functions till the matter was disposed of.

Originally, the petition was admitted in February this year, and the notice was ordered to the Union Government and the IIT-M returnable within four weeks.

After several adjournments, the matter came up for hearing before Justice Venkataraman.

Not satisfied with the vague counter-affidavit filed in court, the judge asked the authorities to file a counter-affidavit and adjourned the matter to August 21 for further hearing.

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