Summary:
It said denial of leave on the basis of faculty attendance was “unreasonable, arbitrary and discriminatory”.Central government standing counsel Monika Arora, appearing for the university, had submitted that as per the rules of the University Grants Commission and JNU, it is mandatory for teachers to mark their attendance. She said it is in the interest of teachers and students to mark their attendance.The plea further sought quashing of a July 13, 2018 circular issued by the academic council of JNU stating that faculty members should mark their attendance — linking it to disbursal of salary. It listed the matter for further hearing on May 3.The court acted on a plea filed by a professor who had to attend a conference abroad last month, but her request was declined by the administration citing the November 13 circular. NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Monday stayed Jawaharlal Nehru University’s circular making it mandatory for faculty to mark attendance The circular states that if the faculty fails to mark attendance, the administration won’t entertain any requests for leave or proposals to attend conferences and seminars abroad.Justice Suresh Kait stayed the operation of the November 13, 2018 circular of the authorities and sought JNU’s response on a plea by a teacher challenging the circular. Her another request for leave from January 20 to 27 was again rejected on the ground that she was “not following attendance rules”.On Monday, HC directed JNU to grant her the required leave within three days to attend the programme.Senior advocate Rebecca John , who appeared for Prasad, sought quashing of the November 13 circular and said her leave applications were for a legitimate academic purpose and they were blindly rejected for non-compliance with the faculty attendance rule.The professor argued that the rule is illegal and ought to be set aside to prevent the arbitrary and excessive exercise of power by the authorities..