New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday made an oral observation concerning the reappointment of Dr. Gopinath Ravindran as the Vice-Chancellor of Kannur University. The bench of Chief Justice D.Y Chandrachud remarked that reappointment should follow the criteria mandated in the Kannur University Act, 1996. 

According to the University rules, individuals who have surpassed the age of 60 are ineligible for appointment as Vice-Chancellor. However, the state government views this provision as not applicable in the case of reappointments. The government argued that the procedure of the constitution of the selection committee was initially followed at the time of initial appointment in 2017. However, the Chief Justice observed that such appointments must also follow the rules mandated by the University. 

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court asked the Attorney-General, who appeared on behalf of the Chancellor, if the prerequisites for reappointment be relaxed. However, Attorney-General R. Venkataramani responded that such an exemption cannot be granted under the existing regulations. Following this, the court concluded the hearing of all parties and adjourned for a final hearing. 

The development comes in response to quo warranto writ petition filed in the apex court questioning Raveendran's reappointment. The petitioners are University Senate Member Dr. Premachandran Keezhoth and Shino P. Jose, a member of the Academic Council. The petitioners alleged that the reappointment was made solely at the request of the Kerala Government and noted based on an independent evaluation or considering contributions of Ravindran. Therefore, they claim that his reappointment violates the UGC regulations.