Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Wednesday issued notices to Maharashtra govt and Nagpur University on a petition challenging the wide nomination powers of governors and vice-chancellors in university bodies.A division bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode sought responses after petitioners argued that provisions of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, confer “extremely broad, uncontrolled and unguided” powers to appoint members to key academic and administrative committees.The petition, filed in 2024 by Senate member Shrikant Bhowte along with Sheelwant Meshram and Bhuvanendra Rahile. It has since been expanded via an amendment application to add fresh grounds of challenge.Appearing through counsels Shailesh Narnaware and Shreya Dambhare, the petitioners argued that the growing number of nominated members compared with elected representatives across university bodies weakens institutional democracy. They alleged “individuals rejected by voters are being brought in through nominations,” calling it “backdoor entry” that dilutes the mandate of elected members. They also contended that such appointments, often made without clear guidelines, violate right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution.The plea challenges Sections 93 to 101 of the Act and seeks a declaration that these provisions are unconstitutional. Figures cited before the court pointed to the imbalance. In the Senate, more than 70 members include 15 nominated and 42 elected members. In the Management Council, 4 nominated members sit alongside 5 elected members. In bodies such as the Board of Studies, nominated members were said to significantly outnumber elected representatives.
