NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has intervened in the Vice-Chancellor appointments of the Digital University and the Kerala Technological University after it became clear that the state government and the Governor could not reach an agreement. The Court has directed the search committees headed by Justice Dhulia to prepare a list naming the most qualified candidate as the first choice for each university. The list must be submitted by next Wednesday. The Court will issue the final appointment order on Thursday (18th).
The bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan expressed strong disappointment over the disagreement between the Governor and the Chief Minister regarding Dr Ciza Thomas. The Court said it had expected both sides to reach a compromise, and it was unfortunate that nothing worked out.
Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Governor, tried to submit a sealed envelope containing a confidential letter, but the Court refused to open it. The envelope reportedly contained the Governor's reply to the Chief Minister’s letter. Advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for the state government, informed the Court that Ministers P Rajeev and R Bindu had already met the Governor. He said the Chief Minister’s objection was only against Dr Ciza Thomas, arguing that she had disrupted the functioning of the Digital University. The Attorney General countered that the Governor supported her appointment. The Court noted that both lists included the names of Dr Ciza Thomas and Dr Priya Chandran.
Points the Committee must consider
1. The Governor’s recommendation to appoint Dr Ciza Thomas as VC of the Technological University and Dr Priya Chandran as VC of the Digital University.
2. The Governor’s view that the presence of Ciza and Priya in both lists is recognition of their merit.
3. The Chief Minister’s demand to appoint Dr Saji Gopinathan as VC of the Digital University and Dr C Satheesh Kumar as VC of the Technological University.
4. The Chief Minister’s objection to Ciza, the Governor’s objection to Saji, and the Governor’s objection to Dr MS Rajasree from the Digital University list.
What happens next
1. The Supreme Court will issue orders after reviewing arguments from both sides.
2. Anyone dissatisfied with the order may file a review petition.
Candidates for final selection
(From the list earlier submitted by Justice Dhulia’s committee to the Chief Minister)
Digital University
Dr Ciza Thomas
Dr Jin Jose
Dr Priya Chandran
Dr MS Rajasree
Dr Saji Gopinathan
Technological University
Dr GR Bindu
Dr C Satheesh Kumar
Dr Ciza Thomas
Dr Priya Chandran
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