Cuttack: The Orissa high court on Wednesday directed the registrar of Berhampur University (BU) to examine Dr Sadananda Naik’s grievance and take a decision on issuing him a ‘no-objection certificate’ (NOC) and a “no charges pending” clearance certificate within three working days. Naik is an associate professor at the university’s history department.The order was passed by Justice Aditya Kumar Mohapatra while disposing of a writ petition filed by Naik, who has applied for the post of vice-chancellor (VC) of Odia University, Satyabadi in Puri.Naik moved the high court after the university authorities allegedly failed to issue the mandatory certificates required for appearing before the search-cum-selection committee. As per the advertisement for the VC’s post, applicants must furnish an NOC and a certificate from their last employer confirming that no disciplinary proceedings or charges are pending against them.Counsel for the petitioner submitted that Naik had applied pursuant to the advertisement and received a letter, dated Feb 5, 2026, asking him to appear before the selection committee on Feb 16 in Bhubaneswar. However, despite approaching BU, where he is currently working, the required certificates were not issued.The petitioner further informed the court that on an earlier occasion, he had applied for the post of vice-chancellor at Maa Manikeswari University in Bhawanipatna but could not participate in the selection process due to non-issuance of similar certificates.Taking note of the limited nature of the grievance, Justice Mohapatra disposed of the matter at the admission stage. The court directed the registrar to look into Naik’s request and, if there are no legal impediments, issue the NOC and clearance certificate in accordance with the university’s extant rules within three working days.The court also asked the registrar to act on production of an authenticated web copy of the order.
