HC to hear Reddy plea on Tuesday

Hearing on the writ petition filed by K Prathap Reddy, who was sacked as the director of Institute of Rural Management Anand (Irma), has been adjourned to April 19.

High Court judge, Justice Akil Kureshi heard arguments by the advocates of Reddy and the respondents - Varghese Kurien, chairman of Irma and the Society of Rural Management Anand, on Friday.

Responding to the letter of appointment of Reddy, that was produced in court by Kurien's lawyers, Reddy's lawyers said that his appointment letter should be viewed in the light of Irma constitution, which clearly states that the director is answerable only to the board.

Reddy's appointment letter states that the chairman has the powers to terminate his services.

The advocates of both the sides reiterated their earlier stand today during the court proceedings that went on for over an hour.

"It is submitted that undisputedly the appointment order to the petitioner is issued by the chairman and therefore, the chairman has power to terminate the petitioner. It is also not in dispute that the respondent society is a body corporate and the director of the respondent society is the employee of the society and that his appointment is governed by the rules of the society.

"Assuming without admitting, under the rules, power to appoint a Director is with the board of governors, that power has been delegated to the chairman and therefore, as an authority, having power to appoint also has power to terminate," said the special civil application filed by the respondents today in the Gujarat High Court.

Stressing that Irma was not an institution dependent or financed by the state government, the civil application by the respondents further said, "The Respondent-Society is not receiving any kind of financial assistance of substance either from the state government or the central government. In short, it is submitted that the respondent-society is not dependent upon either central government or state government or any public body."

Meanwhile, Reddy's counsel Dhaval Dave said on Friday," We have informed the High Court about the drama that took place at Anand.

In another case, a petition filed by B M Vyas, IRMA board member and MD of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), High Court judge, Justice Kamal Mehta adjourned the court.

The next hearing for the petition by Vyas challenging the ruling of Joint Charity Commissioner (JAC) - Vadodara has been scheduled on April 19. It may be recall that the JAC had upheld the Assistant Charity Commissioner - Anand's order questioning the lifetime chairmanship of Kurien.