Himachal Pradesh High Court stays order on HPU Vice-Chancellor duties

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has stayed an order issued by the Governor-cum-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) that assigned Vice-Chancellor duties to the Dean of Studies and the Registrar. The order was intended to cover the period of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor’s foreign tour from October 2 to October 12.

This ruling provides relief to Pro Vice-Chancellor Rajinder Verma, who challenged the decision. Legal arguments presented to the court suggested the arrangement violated the Himachal Pradesh University Act, 1970, which stipulates that the Pro Vice-Chancellor is entitled to discharge Vice-Chancellor duties during temporary absences. Justice Sandeep Sharma ordered that the October 1 office order remain in abeyance and directed that Verma continue performing his duties as Pro Vice-Chancellor.