Mumbai University VC Deshmukh fails to clear LLB exam

Moneylife Digital Team 14 November 2015

Before being appointed as vice chancellor of Mumbai University, Dr Deshmukh had appeared for LLB examination, which he could not clear, reveals a reply received under RTI

Mumbai University's vice-chancellor (VC) Dr Sanjay Vasant Deshmukh has failed to clear his LLB examination, he appeared before being appointed as the VC, reveals a reply received under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

RTI activist Anil Galgali had filed the application seeking information about Dr Deshmukh's LLB examination results. The reply he received from Mumbai University, says, "(Dr) Deshmukh filed his admission form for the LLB- 1st Seminar examination held in October-November 2014, but he did not appear for the exams. He appeared for the second semester examination held in April-May 2015, but failed."

"A VC of Mumbai University, which has more than 740 affiliated colleges under it, in which lakhs of students are enrolled, has to have an impeccable record and it is generally inappropriate to question his capability. Therefore, the information received under the RTI is certainly shocking," says Galgali.

Earlier in June this year, Dr Deshmukh, a professor of life sciences at that time, was appointed as VC of Mumbai University. He holds an MSc from the Institute of Science, Mumbai University and a PhD in botany.

The reply also reveals that the University does not have any records of Mr Deshmukh's permanent registration number (PRN), an academic identity code that student is attested with at the admission counter. Dr Deshmukh has sought admission from Adv Datta Patil College of Law at Alibaug and his eligibility (for the course) was pending, the RTI reply says.

However, Galgali alleges that a student who does not have a PRN number is not allowed to appear for examinations, and even if it is allowed, his results are withheld. But since Dr Deshmukh, himself is the VC of the University, his examination results may have been declared, he said.

According to the RTI reply, Dr Deshmukh, after failing to clear his second semester exam has not applied to revaluation as well.

Galgali, questioning the recommendation made by the Search Committee to appoint Dr Deshmukh as VC of Mumbai University, has sent a letter to Maharashtra Governor, who is also the Chancellor of Mumbai University requesting to take steps to preserve reputation of the University. "Appointment of Dr Deshmukh, who failed in the exams for a course under Mumbai University, is a setback to the glorious tradition and prestige of the famed University," Galgali said.

Comments

User

Amit Gupta

1 decade ago

I see he has a PhD in Botany. That he appeared for a totally different profession(law) and that too, when he is pretty senior already, is something that should be commendable.

Whether he failed or passed should not be anybody else's concern. Why should it dent his credentials. He has already proved himself. As a human, one has every right to pursue ones dream, failure should not be a deterrent

Using RTI to find smth is fine, but adding a judgement should be done with care.

ch prakash

1 decade ago

At least he didn't copy and passed. Ist semester, he did not appear and II semester he did not pass (means he didn't undertake any fraudulent means to qualify). He is a Botanist and want to try his luck in Law. Wish him all the best. May be out of other professional commitments he could not made it. If the degrees already possessed are out of hard work and legitimate, then it is fine.What we have to see is whether he is qualified, professional enough to handle the job given and not about his failures and success in other endeavours.