Kochi | In a setback to the Kerala Governor, who also serves as the Chancellor of major universities in the state, the High Court on Monday dismissed writ petitions challenging a single judge’s verdict that declared the temporary appointments of Vice-Chancellors at APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala Digital University as unsustainable.
The appeals were filed by the Chancellor and others, against the May 19, 2025 judgment which said the appointments were made without following proper legal procedure.
The controversy began after the Chancellor appointed two persons--Ciza Thomas to the Kerala Digital University and K Sivaprasad to the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University --to the temporary posts of VC through notifications issued on November 27, 2024.
These appointments were made under the respective University Acts, citing powers to fill the post for a maximum of six months in the absence of a regular VC.
However, the state government challenged the appointments, arguing that they did not follow the procedure laid down in the Acts -- which require a panel of names to be recommended by the government -- and did not comply with University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations.
The High Court's Division Bench, comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and P V Balakrishnan, upheld the single judge's ruling, agreeing that the notifications lacked legal backing.
The court observed that although the appointments were temporary, they still required adherence to the statutory process, including the submission of a panel of at least three eligible names by the government.
The judges also emphasised the importance of the VC's role, calling them the "bridge between academic and administrative functions" of a university.
They referred to earlier Supreme Court judgments which stressed that VCs must be selected independently, without political or external pressure, and in the best interest of the university.
While dismissing the appeals, the court noted the ongoing administrative deadlock in both universities and its negative effect on students.
It urged the Chancellor and the state government to act promptly to make regular VC appointments in line with the law and UGC norms.
"Considering the stalemate existing in the administration of the Technological University and the Digital University, which is continuing for a considerably long period, and which had an adverse impact on the functioning of the said universities and the interest of the student community, we are of the view that the Chancellor as well as the State Government will have to act pro-actively, to ensure that regular appointment to the post of Vice-Chancellor in the said Universities are made, without any further delay," the court said.
The court also clarified that the UGC's 2018 regulations regarding qualifications and appointment procedures for university teachers and academic staff would override any conflicting provisions in state legislation.
The verdict has come as a relief for the CPI(M)-led Left government, which has been at odds with the Governor over the administration of universities in the state.
Welcoming the HC order, Higher Education Minister R Bindu said the court had confirmed that the Governor's actions in appointing Vice-Chancellors were unlawful.
She said the High Court's rejection of the Governor's appeal supported what the state government had been saying all along.
"The Governor has powers, but when he crosses the limits, it causes problems," the minister said. She also called the Chancellor's move --which she claimed could damage the reputation of universities --disgraceful.
General Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty also welcomed the ruling, calling it a win for the government's efforts to ensure transparency in the education sector.
Thrissur (Kerala) | Kerala University Vice Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal on Monday met Governor Rajendra Arlekar, who is also the Chancellor of the varsity, and appraised the ongoing unrest and administrative issues.
The meeting was held at the government guest house in this central Kerala district.
The meeting assumed significance as the Vice Chancellor recently suspended the Registrar of the university after he issued a notice cancelling a private programme attended by Governor Arlekar at the Senate Hall, where a portrait of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag was displayed.
The Kerala University campus witnessed dramatic scenes last week after Registrar K S Anil Kumar, whose suspension was revoked by the Syndicate, arrived to resume his duties.
"I came here to directly inform the Governor about the ongoing violence and the other major issues at Kerala University. A group of so-called students unleash violence at the university for no reason," Kunnummal told reporters.
He said he was not going to the university campus nowadays as there is a threat of physical assault against him.
"Will you go to a place if anybody threatens to chop off your legs?" he asked the reporters.
He said he does not want to create a law and order issue by going to the campus.
The VC further reiterated that the Syndicate's announcement of the revoking of the suspension of the Registrar is invalid.
Elaborating on the powers of the Vice Chancellor, Kunnummal said the Syndicate is a panel to advise the VC.
"Whenever there is no Syndicate, VC is the Syndicate. Whenever there is no Senate, VC is the Senate. Whenever there is no academic council, VC is the academic council," he said, quoting university norms.
While referring to the revoking of the suspension of the Registrar by the Syndicate, he said the Syndicate has to be chaired by the VC, and a decision taken under the chairmanship of anybody else has no legal validity.
His statement came amidst SFI activists, who recently stormed the university, raised slogans against the VC and the governor, and continued their protests inside the campus.
Some of the protesters even shouted that the Vice Chancellor would not be allowed on the campus.
Kerala University has seen dramatic scenes and unprecedented protests by Left students and youth outfits since the beginning of the month, following the suspension of the Registrar by Vice Chancellor Kunnummal.
The ruling CPI(M)'s student wing, Students' Federation of India (SFI) activists on Monday, organised a "protest trial" at the Kerala University campus against the VC, alleging administrative stalemate and suffering of students due to his actions.
