Traffic Ramasamy files PIL in Madras HC, asks UGC to remove Surappa from the post of Anna University VC

Social activist 'Traffic' K R Ramaswamy has filed a Public Interest Litigation at the Madras High Court against the appointment of Anna University Vice-Chancellor Dr M K Surappa — two-and-a-half years after he took charge. The petition, addressed to the Higher Education Secretary, the UGC, the Tamil Nadu Education Secretary and The Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, seeks the removal of Surappa from his position as VC of Anna University, since he had already held an equivalent post as the Director of an IIT.

Surappaformerly worked as Founder-Director of IIT Ropar. He was also the Dean of Engineering at IISc from 2016-17. "He has already served as a director in IIT Ropar, Punjab and the rank is equivalent to that of a Vice-Chancellor, as per the UGC norms. A person cannot serve more than twice in the same rank of position," reads the petition. Ramaswamy also claims that the appointment is against UGC norms and regulations.

Ramaswamy had written to all these authorities four months ago but has received no reply. Meanwhile, Surappa has been tied up in a web of corruption and misuse of power allegations and the TN government has appointed a committee to probe into these under the stewardship of a retired judge.

"As a common citizen, I feel that the Hon’ble High Court of Madras interference only restrains the above stated illegal acts. So I am filing this petition within a short period of time," it reads. The case will be heard on Tuesday by a bench comprising of justices M Sathyanarayanan and P Rajamanickam.