All eyes are now on Raj Bhavan over the appointment of ad hoc vice-chancellors (VCs) of various a day after the Supreme Court allowed the Bihar governor to make appointments.

The court had earlier stayed these appointments on the state government’s appeal.

Sources said Raj Bhavan could either make fresh appointments or direct seniormost deans — holding the post of acting VCs at different universities — to continue.

According to Prof Shiv Jatan Thakur, a professor of English at Patna University and an expert in university matters, the chancellor is empowered under section 13(2) of Bihar State Universities Act, 1976 to appointment VCs only on temporary basis in case a vacancy arises as a result of a resignation, death, completion of term or any other reason.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and Justice S. Arvind Bobde passed the order while dealing with a Bihar government appeal challenging the appointment of six VCs and four pro-VCs. The state government had contented that the appointments were made without proper consultation and violated the UGC Act.

State education minister P.K. Shahi said they have not received the court order yet. “It will be premature to comment on the Supreme Court order without going though it.” Shahi said.

Asked whether the state government could suggest names for appointment as VC on ad-hoc, Thakur said the chancellor would have to appoint a man of eminence, moral stature and integrity in keeping with UGC norms.

“Consultation is required for regular appointment of VCs for a period of three years under Section 11 of Bihar State Universities Act, 1976. In this case it is the duty of chancellor to make appointments or direct existing acting VCs to continue in their post.”

The apex court matter has posted the matter for further hearing on April 29. It had restrained appointment of six VCs and four pro-VCs in March on the grounds that there was no proper consultation between Raj Bhawan and state government in these appointments.

The six VCs include Patna University’s Shambhu Nath Singh. After the Supreme Court order, the registrars of different universities gave the charge of VCs to the seniormost dean. At Patna University, U.K. Sinha was appointed acting VC.

However, days after appointments of acting VCs some Deans protested against the appointments claiming that seniority of Dean was not followed during appointment of acting VCs.