SC annuls re-appointment of Kannur VC, harshly criticizes govt and governor

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has annulled the reappointment of Dr Gopinath Ravindran as the vice-chancellor of Kannur University. The verdict was passed by a bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on the pleas questioning the re-appointment. The verdict is a severe blow to the Pinarayi Vijayan Government. The court said the guilty verdict of the high court is being quashed.

The court severely criticized the governor and the state government in the verdict. The Supreme Court said the manner in appointing the vice chancellor was illegal and the re-appointment was sabotaged due to the interference of the state government and accused the governor of yielding to external forces.

University Assistant Professor Dr Premachandran Keezhoth and academic council member Shino P Jose of the English department approached the apex court. A bench led by chief justice D Y Chandrachud while hearing the argument asked how can a person above 60 be reappointed. The government had then replied that criteria including age are not applicable for the re-appointment.

The petitioners had earlier argued that the very first appointment of the Kannur VC was against UGC rules. In this situation, the petitioners claimed that re-appointment will not remain. However, Dr Gopinath Ravindran mentioned in the affidavit that he was reappointed following UGC rules and that age limit is not applicable for re-appointment and that he is eligible for it as he has been a VC once.

There were strong protests for reappointing Gopinath Ravindran, who is above 60. The Governor reappointed Dr Gopinath Ravindran for four years after accepting government’s recommendation. Dr Premachandran Keezhoth and academic council member Shino P Jose moved the court against this. However, the high court upheld the re-appointment. The petitioners later approached the Supreme Court against this. The Governor had revealed in a press meet that Minister Bindu had given two letters for the re-appointment.