SHILLONG, Aug 16: The High Court of Meghalaya has dismissed a writ petition challenging the selection process for the position of professor in the Zoology Department of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
The petitioner, Dr Bidyadhar Das, had raised concerns regarding the screening process conducted by the Screening Committee, alleging that candidates without the requisite qualifications were called for personal interviews.
In a ruling on August 8, Justice HS Thangkhiew, after hearing arguments from both parties, observed that the petitioner had challenged the selection process prematurely, without waiting for its outcome.
The Court noted that the Screening Committee, being an expert body, had thoroughly examined the qualifications of all applicants and made recommendations based on their eligibility. The Court further emphasised that it could only exercise judicial review if there were malafides or procedural irregularities apparent on record.
Referring to the eligibility criteria for the post of professor as outlined in the UGC Regulations of 2018, the Court stated that applicants with a PhD in the concerned/allied/relevant disciplines, including Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, and Botany, could be considered for the position.
In view of these, the Court said it found no grounds for interference and dismissed the writ petition as premature and without merit.
The petitioner has been directed to pay costs of Rs 3500 to the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority for the purposes of legal aid within 10 days from the date of the order.
