CA Sansaar
Supreme Court Criticises Education Secretary for Mismanagement in University Audits
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Court : Supreme Court
Brief :
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) expressed displeasure with the Union Education Secretary over non-compliance with its earlier directive requiring the Centre to provide administrative and logistical assistance to a committee examining issues related to the audit of private universities.
A Bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N.V. Anjaria had previously issued a contempt notice to Vineet Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, in connection with the implementation of the court’s April 20 order. The order had instructed the Centre to arrange office infrastructure, stenographic services, and logistical support for a panel headed by former Indian Legal Service officer R.M. Sharma.
During the hearing, Justice Amanullah questioned the lack of urgency shown in implementing the court’s directions. Addressing Mr. Joshi, who appeared before the Bench in person, the judge remarked that Supreme Court orders could not be treated casually and observed that such conduct was unexpected from a senior government official.
The matter originated from a petition filed by an Amity University student who alleged harassment after requesting a correction of her name in university records. Over the course of proceedings, the court widened the scope of the case and sought nationwide information from States and Union Territories regarding the functioning of private universities, including staff salaries, governance structures, and appointment procedures of administrative bodies.
To facilitate the exercise, the Department of Higher Education was designated as the nodal authority responsible for supporting the committee led by R.M. Sharma. The panel was tasked with reviewing affidavits submitted by States, Union Territories, and Central agencies concerning the regulation and administration of private universities.
Earlier this month, Mr. Sharma informed the court that the stenographer assigned to assist the committee lacked adequate English proficiency and was unable to effectively record dictation. He also stated that document typing had been handled with the help of an advocate connected with the committee, while additional secretarial support had been arranged privately. Taking note of these shortcomings, the Bench directed the Education Secretary to remain personally present during the subsequent hearing.
At the latest hearing, Justice Amanullah again raised concerns regarding the delay in extending proper logistical assistance to the committee, observing that Mr. Sharma was functioning as a representative of the court and deserved appropriate institutional support.
However, Mr. Sharma later informed the Bench that following the court’s intervention, the required facilities had been provided and the operational issues had been resolved.
The Bench also reviewed Mr. Sharma’s updated report on compliance by various States and Union Territories with earlier court directions and granted them five additional weeks to submit their responses.
In addition, the Supreme Court directed State governments to provide information regarding benefits and concessions extended to private universities, including land allotments, as well as details about the composition of governing boards of such institutions.
The court further requested the Union Education Secretary to submit recommendations relating to the establishment, governance, and regulation of universities functioning under different Ministries. These recommendations are to be filed before the court through an affidavit by July 10
Citation :
As this matter appears to be a recent court proceeding/news-based report and not yet a reported judgment in an official law reporter, a formal legal citation (like SCC, AIR, or SCC OnLine) may not currently be available.
You can use a news-style citation format such as:
Supreme Court of India, Order dated May 19, 2026, concerning logistical support to committee auditing private universities, Bench: Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice N.V. Anjaria.
Or in article/reference style:
Supreme Court of India | Vineet Joshi contempt proceedings related to private university audit matter | Order dated 19 May 2026.
If the official case title or diary/WP number becomes available, the citation can be formatted more precisely in legal style.
Judgement :
The Supreme Court of India, while hearing a matter connected to the audit and regulation of private universities, expressed strong concern over the failure of the Department of Higher Education to comply with its earlier directions regarding logistical assistance to a court-appointed committee.
A Bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice N.V. Anjaria observed that adequate infrastructural and administrative support should have been provided promptly to the panel headed by former Indian Legal Service officer R.M. Sharma. The court questioned the delay and lack of seriousness shown in implementing its directions and orally remarked that orders of the apex court cannot be treated lightly.
The proceedings arose in a broader case concerning the functioning and governance of private universities across India. The court had earlier directed States and Union Territories to furnish details relating to university administration, staff wages, regulatory mechanisms, and governing bodies.
After being informed that the committee initially faced difficulties due to inadequate stenographic and secretarial support, the court sought the personal appearance of Union Education Secretary Vineet Joshi. During the latest hearing, the committee informed the Bench that the required facilities had subsequently been provided and the operational issues had been resolved.
The Supreme Court further directed State governments to disclose details of benefits granted to private universities, including land allotments and governance structures. The Bench also asked the Union Education Secretary to submit recommendations regarding the establishment, administration, and regulation of universities operating under different Ministries by filing an affidavit before July 10, 2026.
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