The Supreme Court today directed the dissolution of CMJ University in Meghalaya, supporting the state government’s 2014 decision to shut down the institution.
The decision comes after allegations of “mismanagement, maladministration, indiscipline and fraudulent intent”.
A bench comprising Justices Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha dismissed an earlier directive from the Meghalaya High Court in 2021, which had called for a reconsideration of the dissolution.
The apex court found merit in the recommendations made by the Governor, who, as the university’s visitor, had advised the removal of Chandra Mohan Jha (CMJ) as the chancellor and dissolution of university, besides withdrawal of degrees such as Ph.D., M.Phil, and B.Ed, which were issued without proper regulatory approvals.
The Supreme Court said it would be open for the state government to take appropriate measures pursuant to the affirmation of the decision to dissolve the CMJ University.
The Supreme Court criticised the division bench of the Meghalaya High Court for its previous decision to remit the case back to a single judge for review stating it was entirely unjustified and unwarranted.
The apex court said the state’s 2014 dissolution order was rightly based on comprehensive evidence of gross violations by CMJ University of mismanagement, financial irregularities and academic misconduct.
The dissolution order, issued by the Meghalaya government, cited numerous violations, including the illegal appointment of the chancellor, financial irregularities, failure to submit mandatory reports, and unauthorised expansion of off-campus centres.
The Supreme Court said the Meghalaya government had provided CMJ University ample opportunities to rectify its violations but to no avail. It also noted that Chandra Mohan Jha’s self-appointment as chancellor lacked the necessary approval from the governor, rendering all subsequent appointments, including that of the vice-chancellor, illegal.
The dissolution has triggered criminal investigations by Meghalaya police against the university, Jha, and his family members who were trustees of the CMJ Foundation for allegedly defrauding students by selling fake degree certificates.
According to a statement issued by ED in December last year, around 20,570 fake degrees were awarded by CMJ University between 2010 and 2013. The total proceeds of crime has been quantified at Rs. 83.52 crore out of which, the agency had attached properties worth Rs. 48.76 crore.
