New Delhi, May 8 (Reporter) The Supreme Court has firmly refused to share a copy of former Chief Justice of India U.U. Lalit’s report on the appointment of Vice Chancellors in West Bengal universities, rejecting a lawyer's plea for access. A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh made it clear that only the West Bengal Chief Minister and the Governor (as Chancellor) were permitted access to the report. “We will not provide any copy for the purpose of indulging in mudslinging on a former CJI, who was selected with the consent of the Attorney General and senior counsel for the state,” Justice Kant stated sharply on Wednesday. “If you people think you’ll be allowed [access], there’s no question.” The matter relates to a special leave petition filed by the State of West Bengal against the June 2023 Calcutta High Court judgment, which had upheld interim vice-chancellor appointments made by Governor C.V. Ananda Bose in 13 universities. The appointments were challenged by the state government on the grounds of procedural irregularity. Earlier, in July 2023, the Supreme Court had entrusted former CJI UU Lalit to head Search-cum-Selection Committees to recommend names for permanent VC appointments. The committees were directed to prepare a three-name panel for each university without ranking, and the selection was to be finalised within three months. The Court had reserved its final say in case of any objection from either party. On Wednesday, the Attorney General (AG) R. Venkataramani presented fresh material in a sealed cover, stating it pertained to objections raised post the selection process. However, he clarified that this material had not yet been examined by Justice Lalit's committee. Justice Kant asked whether the material had been scrutinised by Justice Lalit. When informed otherwise, the Court directed that the documents be first reviewed by the committee. The bench then adjourned the matter to Thursday, asking counsel to confirm Justice Lalit's availability for reviewing the sealed contents. During the hearing, Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta, representing West Bengal, pointed out that although 19 of 36 candidates had been cleared and appointed, major institutions were still without permanent heads. “Seventeen universities are in limbo,” he emphasised, urging the Court to expedite resolution. The AG noted that despite efforts to mediate between the Governor and Chief Minister, a consensus on the remaining names remains elusive. “The Governor conveyed that he finds it difficult to accept some names, and hence, we thought it best to leave the matter to your lordships,” the AG told the Court. The Court reiterated that all further steps would hinge upon the scrutiny of the submitted material by Justice Lalit’s committee and adjourned proceedings accordingly...////...