KOCHI: The Governor told the High Court that the Senate's demand to withdraw the notification issued by the Selection Committee for the appointment of the Kerala University VC was illegal and grossly insulting. This demand was raised by the members nominated by the Governor to the Senate. In his explanation, the Governor, who is the chancellor, said that the Senate members were expelled because they acted beyond their jurisdiction.

The Governor gave the explanation in a petition filed by 15 members against their removal Senate. Justice Devan Ramachandran's bench will consider the petitions today. The court had earlier barred the nomination of new members to replace those expelled.

A notification was issued on August 5 for the appointment of VC by forming a selection committee comprising Karnataka Central University VC Prof. Batu Satyanarayana, and Kozhikode IIM Director Prof. Debashish Chatterjee, Governor's representative. Although the governor had made multiple requests for a nominee of the Senate in the committee, no action in this regard. The statement said that the notification was issued in such a way that the representative of the Senate could be included as soon as it was recommended and it was wrong for the Senate to ask for the withdrawal of the notification without appointing the representative.