DU V-C suspended over 'misgovernance' after bitter administrative tussle

New Delhi: Amid a major row over appointments that stirred a show of power tussle between two factions within the university, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi, Yogesh Tyagi has been suspended on President Ram Nath Kovind's orders, the Union Education ministry said on Wednesday.

The Education ministry had asked the President to allow an inquiry against Tyagi after a dispute over appointments to the varsity last week. On Tuesday night, the President allowed the inquiry against Tyagi, who was accused of "misconduct" and "dereliction of duty" by the ministry.

In a letter to the university Registrar, the Education ministry said the V-C was suspended till the inquiry is completed since he can influence the investigation while in office. Professor PC Joshi will now take over as Vice-Chancellor for now.

Tyagi has been on leave since July 2 when he was admitted to Delhi's AIIMS hospital with an emergency medical condition. The government had made Joshi in-charge on July 17, until Tyagi resumed office. According to sources at the university, Tyagi has also been accused of not being regular to his office since January, due to which various matters were left pending.

In an order, the ministry pointed out that various posts in the university have been vacant during his tenure despite the ministry's follow up on the same.

A controversy erupted last week when Tyagi removed Joshi as pro-VC and appointed Geeta Bhatt, the director of the Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board of the university, in his place.

Meanwhile, the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) raised questions as to why a decision was not taken earlier despite them raising it to the authorities when they submitted a White Paper in June 2019.

"The Ministry of Education and UGC have been aware of the crisis in DU and are complicit in allowing misgovernance. The fact that action is being initiated and inquiry has been set up following a bitter fight between two factions of the right-wing confuses us," Abha Dev Habib, Treasurer, DUTA, said.

Despite several attempts, Professor Tyagi did not respond to any calls or messages.