Arif Mohammed Khan | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Kochi: Kerala High Court has asked the chancellor of varsities in the state to detail how Ciza Thomas was chosen as VC in-charge of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU). The court also enquired why the charge was not given to VCs or pro-VCs of other universities.
The court raised these questions while hearing the plea filed by the state government against Ciza’s appointment.
The government argued that appointment happened without consultation. The charge of VC must be given to the pro-VC or the higher education principal secretary in case there is no permanent VC. Since the UGC regulation does not specify on appointing a temporary VC, the university act must be followed, it argued.
Meanwhile, court expressed its concerns over the tussle between the state government and Governor. The future of students should not be affected by the decision making in the varsities, it pointed out.
The next hearing on the case is slated for November 28.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan had appointed Ciza, rejecting the government's recommendation to hand over the responsibility to state higher education principal secretary Ishita Roy IAS.
The temporary appointment was necessitated over Supreme Court’s order quashing the appointment of Dr Rajasree MS as KTU VC, which said UGC norms were violated.