The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the decision of the Meghalaya government in 2014 to dissolve the controversial CMJ University on grounds of “mismanagement, maladministration, indiscipline and fraudulent intent” and nullified the Meghalaya High Court’s order for a review. A bench comprising justices PS Narasimha and Sandeep Mehta endorsed the state’s order and dismissed the Meghalaya High Court’s 2021 directive for a reconsideration of the dissolution.
The apex court found merit in the recommendations made by the then Meghalaya Governor RS Mooshahary, who, as the University’s Visitor, had advised the removal of Chandra Mohan Jha as the chancellor and dissolution of the university, besides withdrawal of PhD, MPhil and BEd degrees that were conferred without regulatory approvals. The Supreme Court ruled that the division bench of the Meghalaya High Court had erred in remitting the matter back to a single judge bench for review, underscoring that the state government’s dissolution order was based on substantial findings of gross violations by CMJ University.
The 2014 dissolution order, issued by the Meghalaya government, cited numerous violations, including the illegal appointment of the chancellor, financial irregularities, failure to submit mandatory reports, and unauthorised expansion of off-campus centres.
Supreme Court dissolves CMJ University, upholds Meghalaya govt’s decision
