Allahabad HC Directs University To Give Due Credit To Substituted Retired Ph.D. Supervisor For Supervision In Thesis

The Allahabad High Court has directed Allahabad University, Prayagraj to give due credit to a substituted retired Ph.D. supervisor for the purpose of his supervision in the thesis.

A Single Bench of Justice Ajay Bhanot said, “… Shri Kunal Ravi Singh, learned counsel for the University, upon instructions, submits that the University intends to facilitate of his Ph.D. scholars and shall take steps to expedite the processing of the Ph.D. thesis, which the petitioner may submit before Professor Girijesh Kumar. In view of above, no relief can be granted to the petitioner. However, Professor Anupam Dixit shall be given due credit for his supervision in the thesis.”

Advocate Shashwat Anand appeared on behalf of the petitioner while Advocates Rijwan Ali Akhtar, Prashant Singh Som, and Kunal Ravi Singh appeared for the UGC, Union of India, and University respectively.

In this case, the petitioner assailed the order issued by the competent authority in the University changing Professor Anupam Dixit her erstwhile Ph.D. supervisor, and nominating Professor Girijesh Kumar as her Ph.D. supervisor. The petitioner enrolled as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Botany at Allahabad University and the standard of Ph.D. programme was governed by the University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M.Phil./Ph.D. Degrees) Regulations, 2016.

The High Court in the above regard noted, “… the petitioner could have completed her Ph.D. programme earliest by 30.10.2020. The Ph.D. supervisor of the petitioner Professor Anupam Dixit, who was supervising her research since her enrolment, superannuated from service on 14.7.2019. Thereafter she was granted extension for the academic session till 30.6.2020. Professor Anupam Dixit was finally engaged as UGC-BSR Faculty in the department for three years, which concluded in January, 2023.”

The Court further observed that on account of the superannuation of Professor Anupam Dixit, the University lawfully appointed Professor Girijesh Kumar of the Department of Botanyas the Ph.D. supervisor of the petitioner and no fault in the appointment can be made.

Accordingly, the Court disposed of the writ petition.

Cause Title- Preeti Mishra v. Union of India

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