New Delhi, Sept 15: Valson Thampu, whose earlier
stint as head of St Stephens College was mired in controversy,
on Monday took over as its principal, a post which was lying
vacant for nearly two years.
Thampu, who had headed the institution as an officer
on special duty, took charge from pro-tem administrator M S
Frank.
"The Supreme Council of the college finalised the name
of Thampu for the post of principal on September 12. He
assumed office today," college spokesperson Sunil Mathew said.
His appointment as OSD soon after then principal Anil
Wilson demitted office was embroiled in a controversy as his
detractors opposed it saying he was not "qualified enough" to
hold the post. Thampu resigned from the post in March after
the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions
(NCMEI) declared his appointment "patently illegal".
A petition filed by a former student of the college
with the NCMEI had raised doubts over the genuineness of the
PhD degree in Theology that Thampu had acquired from Allahabad
Agricultural Institute.
Meanwhile, hailing the decision, Thampu said: "I have
been closely associated with St Stephens and I am very happy
to get another opportunity to serve the institution.
"People outside the college had created controversies
but all's well in Stephens," Thampu said.
The apex body of the college held interviews after the
Delhi High Court's judgement rejecting any role of Delhi
University in the selection of the head of the college, which
is a minority institution.
The council selected Thampu after interviewing a dozen
candidates for the top job including Frank. Thampu was given
tough competition by Shobhana Bhattacharjee, Reader of English
Department in St Jesus and Mary College here, in the race to
the top post.
Bureau Report
