Fake certificate controversy of SFI leader Nikhil M Thomas; High Court upholds Thaha's appointment as principal

KOCHI: Relief for teacher Dr. Muhammad Thaha, who faced action in the case of SFI leader Nikhil M. Thomas obtaining PG admission in Kayamkulam MSM College by presenting a fake degree certificate. The High Court has directed the University of Kerala to uphold Thaha's appointment as principal. The order was issued by Justice N Nagaresh.

Thaha was selected as the principal in 2023 by a committee comprising university representatives. Nikhil Thomas controversy arose during that time. Thaha was in charge of responding to the Right to Information applications regarding Nikhil's degree certificate. He replied to enquire with Kalinga University. Meanwhile, the petitioner was selected for the appointment of principal, but the university withheld the legal approval. Disciplinary action was also suggested. Thaha stated that Nikhil's PG admission was during the time of the previous principal and that he, as an Arabic department teacher, had no role in it.

Following the court's interim order, the university had given provisional approval for the appointment of the principal in 2024. Yesterday it was directed to make it permanent. The High Court clarified that the Public Information Officer does not have the power to inquire into the authenticity of documents. The approval cannot be withheld based on isolated negligence in RTI applications.