New Delhi: The power tussle at Delhi University escalated on Friday with the acting registrar, P C Jha, informing the Education Ministry that recent decisions on crucial appointments taken by Vice Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi are in compliance with varsity norms. Intervening in the row between the vice chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor P C Joshi on Thursday night, the ministry said appointments made by Tyagi were not "valid" as he is on leave.

Earlier in the day on Thursday, controversy erupted when Tyagi removed Joshi as pro-VC and appointed Geeta Bhatt, director of the Non-Collegiate Women's Eduction Board of the university, in his place. Joshi had, meanwhile, notified the appointment of a new registrar, Vikas Gupta, whose interview had been completed and appointment cleared by the executive council on Wednesday. However, the same day, Tyagi had approved and notified the appointment of P C Jha as acting registrar and director of the South Campus.

"The Vice Chancellor, Yogesh Tyagi, has taken decision in due compliance with the Act, Statutes and ordinances of Delhi University. It is informed that P C Jha in addition to his responsibilities as Director, South Campus, is also acting as Registrar as an interim arrangement. It is also informed that Geeta Bhatt has been appointed as Pro VC in place of P C Joshi," Jha said in a letter to the ministry. In his letter to the university registrar on Thursday, Birendra Kumar Singh, deputy secretary in the Education Ministry, wrote that "orders issued by Vice Chancellor during the period of absence on medical ground without joining the office properly and officially is not valid and should not be acted upon by the university functionary". In future, if the vice chancellor wants to join office, a proper medical fitness certificate issued by a competent authority who treated him should be obtained, he said.

"Pro VC P C Joshi will be acting as Vice Chancellor during the period and all orders should be issued under the statues with his approval," Singh had said. According to sources, the Ministry is contemplating an enquiry against Tyagi and sending him on leave since enquiry is pending. Tyagi's tenure as DU VC ends in March next year. However, there was no official confirmation of the same. Meanwhile, post the communication from Ministry, Gupta issued a circular stating that all orders issued without approval of pro-vice-chancellor PC Joshi is null and void.

"For the last two days several notifications have circulated through various media regarding statutory appointments and other related matters. This also includes the notifications regarding the appointment of a new pro vice chancellor, Registrar and director south campus," he said. "It is hereby clarified that professor P C Joshi Pro vice chancellor will act as vice chancellor and is the only competent authority to approve issue orders as per the provisions of the act statues and ordinances of the university. Any notification orders issued without the duo approval of professor PC Joshi is null and void," he added.

As of now, the registrar and the pro VC office is sealed. Jha and the VC-appointed pro VC Geeta Bhatt is functioning from the office of the VC. On Friday, a working group committee was also formed to expedite the process of recruitment and promotions of teaching and non-teaching employees in university and colleges.