Discrepancies alleged in assistant professor appointment at Kannur University

Kannur: Discrepancies are being alleged in the appointment of a geography assistant professor in the reservation category at Kannur University. 

A stay was issued on the rank list of general category candidates, who were selected based on the interviews which were held on the day when former VC Professor Gopinath Raveendran was ousted from office as per an SC ruling and on the day prior to the incident. Amid this, the appointment of a candidate belonging to the reservation category happened. 

It is said that a committee comprising Gopinath Raveendran had conducted the interviews for the candidates on Day 1, and on Day 2, a committee appointed by the former VC engaged in the same activity. However, a candidate from the general category approached the high court citing anomalies in the rank list prepared by the two committees as a result of which the court issued a stay order on the general category rank list. 

It has been alleged that the reservation category rank list was also prepared in a similar manner. However, without any sort of stay prevailing on it, an appointment was made as per the list on December 27. Later, a candidate from the reservation category also approached the high court against the procedure. The court will hear the argument on the petition alongside the proceeding of the general category petition. The final decision regarding the appointment rests with the court now.

Meanwhile, the Save University Campaign Committee filed an RTI application seeking a copy of the appointment order of the reserved category candidate.  The deputy registrar replied that the order was not issued. However, registrar Jobi K Jose claims that the order was issued.

The Save University Campaign Committee members submitted petitions to the Governor and VC to deem the latest appointment ineffective. An action was demanded against the registrar for allowing the candidate to start working in the meantime.