Court Proceedings Prompt Resignation Blueprint

During a hearing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, counsel for Ashok Kumar informed the bench that the ex‑DGP would be unable to continue as the vice‑chancellor of Haryana Sports University, Rai, citing personal considerations. The judges instructed that his resignation be tendered within three weeks and that the state acknowledge it within a week of receipt.

A hard deadline – 31 October 2026 – was also set for the government to finalize the appointment of a successor. Until a new head is installed, the university’s most senior dean will assume the chief executive’s responsibilities.

Challenge to the Original Appointment

The selection was contested in the High Court by Dr Devendra Singh Mor and another petitioner. Their petition argued that Kumar’s appointment failed to meet the eligibility and experience standards prescribed in the UGC Regulations 2018 for a university vice‑chancellor.

The petitioners further disputed the salary order, insisting that any candidate must satisfy the stipulated academic qualifications and professional background. The case called for judicial scrutiny of Kumar’s academic credentials and his record as a professor.

From Police Chief to University Leader

Ashok Kumar retired as Uttarakhand’s Director General of Police in November 2023. Four months later, on 1 March 2024, the Haryana government named him vice‑chancellor of the newly‑created Haryana Sports University, Rai.

Although the High Court has not declared the appointment illegal, Kumar announced during the hearing that he would resign for personal reasons.

What Lies Ahead for the Institution

With a resignation expected within three weeks, the Haryana administration must now initiate a transparent selection process for a new vice‑chancellor. The court‑mandated 31 October 2026 deadline provides a clear timeframe for completing the appointment.

In the meantime, the university’s senior‑most dean will discharge the vice‑chancellor’s duties, ensuring operational continuity while the search for a permanent leader proceeds.