NEW DELHI, Feb 13: The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the decision of the Meghalaya government in 2014 to dissolve the controversial CMJ University on grounds of “mismanagement, maladministration, indiscipline and fraudulent intent” and nullified the Meghalaya High Court’s order for a review.
A bench comprising justices PS Narasimha and Sandeep Mehta endorsed the state’s order and dismissed the Meghalaya High Court’s 2021 directive for a reconsideration of the dissolution. The apex court found merit in the recommendations made by the then Meghalaya Governor RS Mooshahary, who, as the University’s Visitor, had advised the removal of Chandra Mohan Jha as the chancellor and dissolution of the university, besides withdrawal of PhD, MPhil and BEd degrees that were conferred without regulatory approvals.
The Supreme Court ruled that the division bench of the Meghalaya High Court had erred in remitting the matter back to a single judge bench for review, underscoring that the state government’s dissolution order was based on substantial findings of gross violations by CMJ University.
The 2014 dissolution order, issued by the Meghalaya government, cited numerous violations, including the illegal appointment of the chancellor, financial irregularities, failure to submit mandatory reports, and unauthorised expansion of off-campus centres.
The Supreme Court underscored that the Meghalaya government had provided CMJ University ample opportunities to rectify its violations but in vain.
The state government’s dissolution order was based on overwhelming evidence of mismanagement, financial irregularities and academic misconduct, the bench said. It further endorsed the state government’s view that CMJ’s chancellor was self-appointed without the required approval from the Governor.
Consequently, all subsequent appointments, including that of the VC, were rendered illegal. The dissolution order had also led to a criminal investigation by the Meghalaya police against the university, Jha and his family members, who were trustees of the CMJ Foundation, for allegedly defrauding thousands of students by giving them fake degree certificates in lieu of money.
Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had also registered a money laundering case. According to a statement issued by ED in December last year, around 20,570 fake degrees were awarded by CMJ University between 2010 and 2013. It added that total proceeds of crime has been quantified at Rs 83.52 crore out of which, the agency had attached properties worth Rs 48.76 crore.
