J R RAMAMURTHY Vs. KANNADA VISHWAVIDYALAYA HAMPI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THESE three petitions could be disposed of by a common Order, since the parties involved in these three petitions are common and the basic issue involved is the correctness or otherwise of domestic enquiry proceedings against the petitioner by his employer.

(2.) ONE Sri j. r. rama murthy, chief librarian, who was working in kannada viswavidyalaya, hampi, bellary district, questions the legality or otherwise of initiation of domestic enquiry proceedings by the registrar of the university at the behest of the vice-chancellor of the university. The action of the vice-chancellor is questioned on the ground that under the kannada univestity act, the vice-chancellor has no jurisdiction and authority to initiate disciplinary proceedings against staff and non-staff members of the university. Secondly, the action is arbitrary, capricious and without just cause. Lastly, on the ground that the charges in the charge memo served on the petitioner are vague and therefore there was no reasonable opportunity to show cause against the charges alleged and it has occasioned failure of Justice and the employee was misled in his defence.

(3.) IN Order to understand the controversy pleaded in the petition, it would be useful to briefly refer to the facts as pleaded by the petitioner. The petitioner was working as a chief librarian in the respondent university. It is the only university of its kind in the entire state. The university is established for furthering the advancement of learning and prosecution of research in kannada. The objects of this university is to function as a high level research centre in kannada language and literature, to impart training to those residing within and beyond India who desire to study kannada language and literature and also various other objects.