New Delhi, 21 August (H.S.): The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has raised serious questions over the alleged nomination of Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI) President Pradeep Kapoor as the ITPI representative on the governing body of the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA). The student organisation has demanded that Kapoor’s membership of the governing body be suspended immediately until the legality of his nomination is examined.

The NSUI said Section 13(2)(c) of the School of Planning and Architecture Act, 2014 provides for the nomination of one representative of the ITPI by the Chairman. According to the organisation, the provision does not state that the ITPI president is to become an ex-officio member of the school’s governing body. The NSUI therefore argued that if Kapoor’s nomination was made in violation of statutory provisions or the applicable rules of the ITPI, its legality requires examination.

The organisation alleged that Kapoor has participated in various meetings and proceedings of the governing body, including processes relating to the recruitment and selection of government officials and other employees. It further alleged that, as a member of the governing body, Kapoor received or claimed meeting fees, honorarium, travelling and daily allowances, as well as other benefits.

The NSUI referred to the Delhi High Court’s judgment in the Sudhir Vohra versus Union of India case, stating that the court had examined the statutory significance of the term “representative” while interpreting a similar provision concerning the Council of Architecture. According to the NSUI, the judgment indicates that institutional representation cannot be treated as an unrestricted power of personal nomination.

The NSUI has demanded an independent and time-bound inquiry into Kapoor’s nomination based on the School of Planning and Architecture Act, the ITPI’s constitution and bylaws, and the legal principles governing institutional representation. It has also sought an examination of his participation in governing body meetings and recruitment-related proceedings, along with all financial and other benefits allegedly received from the school.

The organisation said that if any violation is established during the inquiry, appropriate action should be taken in accordance with the rules and any financial benefits allegedly received should also be recovered.

The NSUI warned that if the concerned authorities fail to take action, it will stage a protest outside the School of Planning and Architecture and raise demands for greater institutional transparency and accountability.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar