The Patna High Court has dragged the Nalanda University professor in the case of dismissal

The Patna High Court on February 18, 2019, while hearing a case challenging the termination of his employment by Sri Jha University, directed Nalanda University to pay dues to Murari Kumar Jha, a former assistant professor of the university.

Justice Anjani Kumar Sharan passed the order on December 10, 2024.

Mr. Jha joined the university as a tenure track assistant in the School of Historical Studies.

In its order, the court said, “It is not in dispute that the petitioner is well qualified. He has discharged his duties very well. He was appointed to the highly prestigious post of Member of the Academic Council of the University on the basis of his excellent performance in various committees of the University. In the meeting of the Governing Board, the notice of awarding the Harvard University Fellowship to the petitioner It was praised by its members.

The court said that the university did not fulfill the promise made in the initial agreement when joining the post.

“As for the submission that under Section 33 (ii) of the Nalanda University Act, 2010, the matter should be referred to the Arbitral Tribunal, I would only say that this section will apply only to the petitioner/employee concerned. expresses his desire to refer the matter to the Arbitral Tribunal. Only then it The subject matter of the agreement shall be referred for arbitration,” the court said.

The order further states that as far as the question of extension of tenure track is concerned, it is left to the discretion of the Vice-Chancellor of the University to consider if the petitioner makes an application showing willingness to rejoin the post.

“The University is directed to calculate the arrears of increment, allowance and other emoluments, if any, as per law and pay the petitioner within three months from the date. Receipt/production of copy of this order. If the said payment is not made within the specified period, interest shall be paid at the rate of 10 percent per annum from the date until such payment is made,’ the court order said.