Rajive Mohan Pant Gets Interim Relief, Gauhati High Court Puts Earlier Order On Hold

The Gauhati High Court has temporarily put on hold its earlier judgment quashing Professor Rajive Mohan Pant’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor of Assam University. A Division Bench of the court passed the interim order on November 3, 2026, while hearing an appeal filed by Pant against the single-bench judgment delivered on October 14.

The appeal, registered as Writ Appeal No. WA/413/2026, was heard by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Kaushik Goswami. After hearing submissions from senior counsel representing Pant, Assam University, the original petitioners and the University Grants Commission (UGC), the court directed that the effect of the earlier judgment remain in abeyance until the next hearing.

In simple terms, the earlier order quashing Pant’s appointment has temporarily been suspended. This means its directions, including those concerning his removal from the post and the fresh selection process, will remain on hold for now. However, the Division Bench has not yet delivered a final verdict on whether Pant’s appointment was valid.

The dispute began after Dr Samira Behera, a Professor of Mathematics at Assam University, challenged Pant’s appointment through a writ petition. The case concerned his eligibility under Clause 7.3 of the UGC Regulations, 2018, which prescribes two alternative routes requiring at least 10 years of experience in specified academic or administrative positions.

In its October 14 judgment, the single bench of Justice N. Unni Krishnan Nair found that Pant did not independently fulfil either of the prescribed experience requirements. The court also raised concerns about the selection committee’s assessment of his eligibility and set aside his appointment.

The earlier judgment had directed the university authorities to make interim arrangements for the Vice-Chancellor’s responsibilities and complete a fresh selection process within four months. However, following the latest interim order, the effect of these directions has been kept in abeyance until further proceedings in the appeal.

Assam University has welcomed the latest development. In a press release issued on November 3, the university said the interim order would maintain the status quo regarding its administration and leadership. It also reiterated its commitment to academic excellence, administrative continuity and student welfare.

The Division Bench has scheduled the next hearing for January 5, 2027, and directed the respondents to submit their written responses. The appeal is still pending, and the court is yet to make a final decision on Pant’s eligibility and the validity of his appointment.