Ciza Thomas can remain as VC in-charge of KTU; new panel should be submitted soon, says High Court

KOCHI: The High Court on Thursday said that Ciza Thomas, who was temporarily appointed as the VC in-charge of Kerala Technological University, can continue in her current position. The division bench also said that it not cancelling the appointment of Ciza Thomas as she was appointed temporarily.

The single bench of the High Court had upheld Governor Arif Mohammad Khan's decision to appoint Ciza Thomas as the VC in-charge of KTU. The government approached the division bench against this. The government filed the appeal seeking to cancel the appointment of Ciza Thomas. The court, which stated that the Chancellor appointed Ciza Thomas under special circumstances, directed that the new panel should be submitted immediately.

As per the KTU Act, the government should give the names for the appointment of interim VC. However, the Chancellor appointed Ciza Thomas by overlooking the names given by the government. The government can hand over the list for the appointment of a new interim VC to the Chancellor. It should forward the list of eligible candidates to the Chancellor. The division bench also clarified that the Chancellor can take an appropriate decision after getting the list.