Besides, Vora will not function as vice-chancellor till further order, the court directed. The court also rejected request of Vora's counsel, S.I. Nanavati, for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. Immediately after the order, engineering and technology faculty dean H.N. Desai took charge of Gujarat University as vice-chancellor.

Vora, who was dismissed by the state government on the ground of alleged misconduct and misdemeanour on November 9 last year, was reinstated after Justice N.N. Mathur quashed the dismissal order on December 30.

However, the state government filed an appeal challenging the single-judge's order. When the appeal came up for hearing before Justice Kundan Singh on Tuesday, government pleader Prashant Desai submitted that the single judge's order was bad in law because even though it was held that charges levelled against Vora were not wrong, action taken against him was held to be illegal.

Besides, state government's action was not illegal as Vora was given two show-cause notices and an opportunity of personal hearing before he was dismissed. Also, Desai contended that if a stay was not granted, administration of the Gujarat University would be affected, and link between the varsity and State government would be missing.

After hearing the argument, Justice Kundan Singh admitted the appeal and stayed the single judge's order. While granting stay, Justice Kundan Singh observed that there was no provision in the statutory laws for conducting inquiry against a vice-chancellor. Besides, Vora was given reasonable opportunity of hearing, court observed.

Vora was dismissed on the ground that he attended a conference of the International Association of Universities at Bangkok during November 12-14, 1997, without prior approval of the Chancellor (Governor), and that he did not obtain political clearance from the Government of India.