HC names Sumitra as VC-in charge of MU

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 31 : A single bench of the High Court of Manipur has permitted Professor Sumitra Phanjoubam, the senior-most Professor of Manipur University, to take charge as the in-charge of Vice-Chancellor (VC).
This development comes as the the High Court of Manipur, presided over by Justice A Guneshwar Sharma, on May 29 stayed the order issued by the Under Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of India, and the consequential order issued by the Registrar of Manipur University handing over the charge of in charge VC to Professor Ganga Prasad Parsain.
The interim order was passed in connection with a writ petition filed by Prof Sumitra Phanjoubam against the Union of India through its Under Secretary, Ministry of Education, Depart- ment of Higher Education, New Delhi; Manipur University through its Registrar; and Prof Ganga Prasad Parsain of the Department of Commerce, Manipur University.
The Court ordered that the letter dated May 14,  2026 issued by the Under Secretary, Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, Government of India, to the Registrar of Manipur University, and office order no 105 dated May 14, 2026 issued by the Registrar, Manipur University, shall remain stayed until the next date of hearing.
Observing that the office of the Vice-Chancellor cannot remain vacant, the Court directed that Prof Sumitra Phanjoubam be allowed to take charge as in-charge VC of MU till the next hearing.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 8, 2026.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate HS Paonam, appearing for the petitioner, challenged the order issued by the Ministry of Education, approving the proposal for handing over the charge of VC to Prof Ganga Prasad Parsain.
The petitioner's counsel submitted that the former VC Prof L Lokendra Singh, demitted office on the forenoon of May 7, 2026.
Prior to his retirement, the Registrar of Manipur University had issued an order on May 6, 2026 appointing Prof Sumitra Phanjoubam, being the senior-most Professor, to perform the duties of Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) with effect from the afternoon of  May 7, 2026 until she attains the age of 65 years or until a new Vice-Chancellor assumes office, whichever was earlier.
It was argued that the appointment was made in accordance with Statute 2(6) of the Manipur University Act, which provides that in the event of a vacancy in the office of the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro Vice-Chancellor shall perform the duties of the Vice-Chancellor, and where no Pro Vice-Chancellor is available, the senior-most Professor shall discharge such duties until a new Vice-Chancellor assumes office or the incumbent resumes charge.
Accordingly, a notification dated May 7, 2026 was issued authorising Prof Phanjoubam to function as in-charge Vice-Chancellor. She subsequently assumed charge on the same day. The petitioner further contended that Prof Ganga Prasad Parsain, who was later appointed as in-charge Vice-Chancellor through the impugned orders, is only the third senior-most Professor in the University's seniority list.
In view of these circumstances, the Court stayed the order issued by the Under Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of India, and the consequential order issued by the Registrar of Manipur University handing over the charge of VC to Professor Ganga Prasad Parsain. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on June 8, 2026.