Court Hearing Sets Resignation Timeline

In a Punjab and Haryana High Court hearing, counsel for Ashok Kumar informed the bench that the ex‑DGP would be unable to continue as vice‑chancellor of Haryana Sports University, Rai, citing personal reasons. The judges directed that his resignation be filed within three weeks and that the state acknowledge it within a week of receipt.

The court also imposed a strict deadline – 31 October 2026 – for the government to complete the selection of a successor. Until a new appointment is made, the university’s senior‑most dean will assume the chief executive’s responsibilities.

Dr Devendra Singh Mor and another petitioner challenged Kumar’s appointment before the High Court, arguing that the selection failed to meet the eligibility and experience benchmarks prescribed by the UGC Regulations 2018 for university vice‑chancellors.

The petitioners further contested the salary order, insisting that any candidate must satisfy the stipulated academic qualifications and professional experience. Their plea sought judicial scrutiny of Kumar’s academic record and his credentials as a professor.

From Police Chief to University Head

Kumar retired as Uttarakhand’s director general of police in November 2023. Four months later, on 1 March 2024, the Haryana government appointed him as vice‑chancellor of the newly‑established Haryana Sports University, Rai.

Although the High Court has not declared the appointment illegal, Kumar announced his intention to resign for personal reasons during the hearing.

What Lies Ahead for the University

With a resignation expected within the stipulated three‑week window, the Haryana administration must now initiate the selection process for a new vice‑chancellor. The court‑set deadline of 31 October 2026 provides a clear timeframe for completing this task.

In the interim, the university’s most senior dean will discharge the vice‑chancellor’s duties, ensuring operational continuity while the search for a permanent head proceeds.