HC asks Governor to hear VCs' side; six weeks given

KOCHI: The High Court ordered that the Governor, who is also the chancellor, should take a decision on the removal of the vice-chancellors within six weeks after hearing their side. Justice Muhammad Niaz also suggested that if the governor's decision is against it, it should not be implemented for 10 days considering the delay in filing an appeal.

The court disposed of the pleas filed by Kalady Sree Sankaracharya VC Dr MV Narayanan, Calicut VC MK Jayaraj, Kerala Digital VC Dr Saji Gopinath and Sree Narayana Open University VC Dr PM Mubarak Pasha against the Governor's notice.

The Supreme Court's order in the Rajasree case was applicable to all universities, but in the case of the petitioners, it had to be examined whether the appointment was in accordance with the UGC rules, the court observed.

The Governor issued notices to other VCs on October 24 and 25, 2022 after the Supreme Court dismissed the appointment of Technical University VC Dr MS Rajasree as not in accordance with UGC rules. The VCs approached the High Court against this. The court had earlier barred the chancellor from issuing a final order until the petition was decided.