Rejects plea against Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga 

The Delhi High Court recently heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) which sought to challenge the appointment of Dr. Ishwarappa Veerbhadrappa Basavaraddi as Director of the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of AYUSH, Union of India. The petitioner alleged that Dr. Basavaraddi’s appointment was illegitimate due to a lack of qualifications and falsified employment records. However, after careful examination of the evidence, the Court determined that Dr. Basavaraddi had met the necessary criteria for the appointment and that his qualifications were genuine.

In its judgment, Chief Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and  Justice Sanjeev Narula, the Court emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of appointments to public offices. It explained that a writ of Quo warranto can be used to ensure that individuals do not occupy public offices without legal authority. However, such petitions must be based on solid evidence that challenges the regularity of the appointment.

Regarding Dr. Basavaraddi’s qualifications, the Court noted that they had been validated by Karnatak University, the institution that issued his certificates. Therefore, the Court concluded that Dr. Basavaraddi had satisfied the essential educational requirements for the position, which called for a Post-Graduate Degree in any subject and a Diploma in Yoga from a recognized institution.

The petitioner argued that a Master’s Degree in Yoga Studies was mandatory according to the Karnatak University Staff Recruitment Statute. However, the Court interpreted the language of the statute differently, stating that the conjunction “or” indicated that a Master’s Degree was not the only route to qualification. The Court further clarified that while Philosophy and Psychology were mentioned as desirable qualifications, the term “preferably” suggested that they were not exclusive options. Therefore, any Master’s Degree, along with a Diploma in Yoga, was deemed adequate for the role of a Yoga Instructor under the statute.

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In terms of Dr. Basavaraddi’s experience, he provided a Service Certificate that demonstrated over ten years of lecturing experience in Yoga at Karnatak University. After evaluating his employment history alongside his academic credentials, the Court found no irregularities in his appointment process as a Yoga Instructor. It also noted that there was no specific requirement for the candidate to have been regularly employed as a Yoga Instructor for a decade, and therefore, Dr. Basavaraddi satisfactorily fulfilled the second essential condition.

The Court also acknowledged the relevance of desirable qualifications, which provide additional insight into a candidate’s suitability for a directorial role. In Dr. Basavaraddi’s case, he had not only completed a Diploma in Yoga and a Doctorate in Philosophy but also possessed significant lecturing experience in Yoga. These qualifications, according to the Court, equipped him with theoretical knowledge and foundational expertise in Yoga, making him well-suited for the directorial position within an institution dedicated to this discipline.

Conclusion against Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga

the Court determined that Dr. Basavaraddi’s qualifications and experience met the essential criteria for the appointment as Director of MDNIY. Compliance with these prescribed qualifications was considered a crucial factor in upholding the legitimacy of his position. The Court emphasized that mere dissatisfaction with the outcomes of an appointment process or the performance of an appointee did not automatically render the appointment illegal. To dislodge an incumbent from a public office through a writ of Quo warranto, clear and convincing evidence of unlawfulness is required.

Lastly, the Court took note that Dr. Basavaraddi had retired from his position as Director, rendering the present petition and the relief sought moot. As a result, the Court dismissed the petition.

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