KOCHI/ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The High Court has refused to interfere in the process of reinstating Dr KS Anilkumar, the Registrar suspended by the Vice Chancellor of Kerala University, after the syndicate members met. The matter came before the Governor after it was pointed out that the appropriate authority can examine his reinstatement.

The Governor decided to cancel the parallel meeting and decisions held in the absence of the VC. Dr. Anil Kumar will have to remain under suspension. Action will be taken after giving notice to the syndicate. The Governor had sought a report from the VC. Ciza Thomas reported that it was a dissolved meeting and that the minutes were not seen and signed. It was then decided to cancel the action under University Rule 7(3).

Dr. Anil Kumar reached the office yesterday and continued till evening. It is a rarity that there are two people in charge of the Registrar. The VC had handed over the charge of the Registrar to Planning Director Dr. Mini Kappan but he could not enter the room. The registrar was suspended for trying to cancel the Governor's ceremony scheduled to be held in the Senate Hall. The reason for the withdrawal of permission was the display of a controversial picture of Bharatamba holding a saffron flag. The registrar approached the High Court challenging his suspension. The Registrar informed that he is withdrawing the petition as he has been reinstated.

Ciza Thomas's lawyer argued that the procedure was not followed. Justice DK Singh did not consider the matter as the reinstatement was not the subject of the petition. During the hearing, the court strongly criticised the Facebook post of Kerala Syndicate member and former MLA R Rajesh. The court stated that it would take suo motu action for criminal contempt of court. The court also reminded that it has sent many people to their deserving places in Uttar Pradesh. The note titled 'It is the Goddess of Justice who sits in the High Court, not a woman carrying a saffron flag' is what angered the court.

University remained silent

The Registrar and VC were represented by their own lawyers. University Standing Counsel Thomas Abraham remained silent. The Registrar's lawyer Elvis Peter announced that the petition was being withdrawn and that the Registrar had been reinstated.

The court asked who had reinstated the Registrar. He replied that it was the Syndicate. Advocate George Pottutham, representing the VC, requested that the petition not be allowed to be withdrawn as he had sought an explanation from the government and the university, but the court did not agree.

Pressure can be exerted only on my grave: Justice D.K. Singh

The court was quick to refer to the Facebook post of syndicate member R Rajesh. "The person who wrote against the judges is also a litigant in the High Court. That case has been postponed for judgment. The person who dared to write against the judge will suffer the consequences. The aim is to exert pressure on me. This is not a reputation that was built in a day. He can exert pressure only on my grave, on my dead body."