Anticipating unfavourable High Court verdict , SVU Vice-Chancellor resigns

Tirupati: For the first time in the history of the Sri Venkateswara University (SVU), a Vice-Chancellor (V-C) himself submitted his resignation to his post anticipating the AP High Court verdict with regard to appointment of V-Cs would not be in his favour.

On Wednesday, Prof VVN Rajendra Prasad had forwarded his resignation to SVU Chancellor and AP Governor ESL Narasimhan. Prasad was appointed as SVU V-C on February 4, 2019. Before his appointment, SVU retired Professor Muniratnam Reddy filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court challenging appointment of V-Cs by search committees.

The petitioner brought to the notice of the High Court that Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) secretary was not eligible to appoint members in V-C search committees as per the UGC rules.

Expecting that the High Court would give directions to the State government on PIL, the then AP government had appointed Prof VVN Rajendra Prasad as V-C overnight. Interestingly, Prasad did not apply for search committee for SVU V-C post. In last minute, the then TD government took the application from him and appointed him as V-C.

The High Court will be delivering its final judgment on PIL on June 24. According varsity sources, verdict might not be favour of Rajendra Prasad. As a V-C, he was in office for 136 days. After he became V-C, Prasad was embroiled in controversy over appointment of Registrar.

Few faculty members, who are pro-YSRCP, and students have bitterly opposed the appointment of present Registrar P Sridhara Reddy. Amidst controversy, Prasad resigned for V-C Post without completion of his 3-year tenure.