The development is a sequel to the directive issued by the HPU executive council, which rejected Verma's plea to extend his leave as professor in the university. Verma, who still has two years to go before his stint as Vice-Chancellor ends, has been on leave from HPU since 1988.

Verma initially worked with ICIMOD in Nepal for some years before he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Solan university. Even before the end of his three-year term in 1997, Verma was re-appointed for another three years. Verma's troubles started after the change of government early this year as the BJP leadership wanted to appoint its man. During his term as Vice-Chancellor, Verma had initiated several new research and extension projects.