THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On Thursday, the High Court thwarted the four-step lightning move to illegally appoint Priya Varghese, wife of the Chief Minister's private secretary KK Ragesh, as an associate professor at Kannur University.

The interview board gave Priya the first rank by leaving behind a teacher of SB College, Changanassery, with 25 years of teaching experience and more than 100 research papers, and two teachers of the Malayalam University.

The procedures related to the appointment of the Associate Professor were speeded up during the first term of VC Gopinath Ravindran. The interview took place just ahead of the expiry of the VC's term. The interview was conducted online rather than face-to-face. The professor, who gave more marks in the interview for the appointment of MB Rajesh's wife at the Sanskrit University, was made a member of this interview board as well. The rank list in which Priya came first was kept secret. As a reward for this, the government pressurised the Governor and reappointed Gopinath Ravindran as VC.

Priya Varghese had the lowest score for research publications, a key criterion for appointment. She also had very less teaching experience. Yet, she was given 32 marks for the interview. Thus, she managed to get the first rank. Priya got only 156 score points for research. Joseph Scaria, a teacher at SB College, Changanassery, got the highest number of points (651). However, he came second in the rank list. The third rank went to C Ganesh of Malayalam University with 645 points.

Legal advice to cover up irregularities

When the Governor asked for an explanation citing irregularities, the VC replied that Priya Varghese was not appointed and the rank list was sent for legal review. When the Governor once again sought an explanation, the VC replied that he had written to the UGC chairman asking if the deputation period could be considered as teaching experience, and since there was no reply, the University would proceed with the appointment. The Governor stayed the appointment after Kannur VC challenged that the appointment order will be issued within two days.