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Court upholds Sondhi's removal as ICSSR chief

The Delhi high court on Thursday dismissed noted academician M L Sondhi's petition challenging his ouster from the chairmanship of Indian Council of Social Science Research.

The court said, "The constitution of the body does not prohibit the government from withdrawing the nomination of the chairman."

Rejecting Sondhi's petition, Justice Vikramjit Sen said, "He was a political nominee to the post and it may be true that his removal is entirely because of his resolute refusal to fall in line with the prevailing political views, but such considerations should not influence 'jural' decisions."

Describing the dispute between Sondhi and the government as 'essentially political in nature', Justice Sen said, "The court should stay clear of vicissitudes, vagaries and fluctuating (political) fortunes."

"These considerations are not justiciable and should not interfere the 'jural' decisions," the court observed.

Sondhi, who was ousted from the chairmanship of the Council on July 17 last year, had challenged the government decision alleging that he was removed because he had 'opposed implementation of Hindutva agenda' by RSS backed elements in the government.

The court also rejected the contention of Sondhi that he was not given any notice before being removed, the court said, "Rule of natural justice does not require that an opportunity must be given to a nominee whose removal is arbitrary and unilateral as his appointment."

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