AG: Due process followed to sack Vishva Bharti VC

NEW DELHI: After the law ministry, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi has said that the HRD ministry followed due process before seeking the President's approval to sack Visva Bharati VC Sushanta Duttagupta. Armed with the opinion, the HRD ministry has resubmitted its recommendation of sacking Duttagupta.
Like the law ministry, the Attorney General has left the decision of meeting Duttagupta with the President but cited three cases to say that a personal audience is not needed in the case."Since the due process has been followed, there is no need for personal hearing. Even the Calcutta high court has rejected the VC's petition," said a source.
As for why Duttagupta's resignation is not being accepted by the HRD ministry and being forwarded to the President for final approval, a source said, "It is not a routine resignation. He has been found guilty on various counts of misconduct, dereliction of duty and even misappropriation of funds. Vigilance itself will not clear the resignation. There are technical problems accepting his resignation." A senior official said, "Accepting resignation of someone found guilty by an inquiry committee will become a safe escape route." A ministry source said, "The President had asked us to get the recommendation of removal allegally examined. He also wanted to know if Duttagupta should be heard."
But it remains to be seen if the President agrees, since he has differed on this issue and wants Duttagupta's resignation of last September to be accepted so that the matter ends without rancour. However, the HRD ministry has been insisting that letting him go when various charges are proven will set a wrong precedent.