Kufos VC appointment: No stay on High Court order, there can be temporary system, replacement appointment is subject to final judgment, says Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the High Court order canceling the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS). The Supreme Court directed to send notice to the opposing parties in a petition filed by Dr. K Riji John challenging the High Court verdict. The apex court will consider the case after two weeks. The bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud stated that if the replacement appointment is made to the post of VC, it will be subject to the final order of the Supreme Court.

Senior advocate Jayadeep Gupta, appearing for Dr. Riji John, and KK Venugopal, appearing for the state government, sought an immediate stay of the High Court order. But the Supreme Court took the stand that the petition can be disposed of after two weeks. The Chief Justice pointed out that the VC will be reinstated if the petition is allowed. The court said that the government and the chancellor can make a temporary system after the lawyers pointed out that the university's administration would come to a standstill without the stay.