Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday stayed the memo of charges issued to former Kerala University registrar K S Anil Kumar by Vice Chancellor Mohanan Kunnumal, pending further orders.

A single bench of Justice P V Kunhikrishnan ruled that the memo, issued last year alleging misconduct, cannot proceed until the court examines the authority under which it was issued.

Dispute over authority

Kumar challenged the Vice Chancellor’s authority to issue the memo, arguing that the appointing authority for the registrar is the university syndicate. He contended that the memo was issued without proper legal backing.

The court referenced Section 10(13) of the Kerala University Act, which allows the Vice Chancellor to act in emergencies when the syndicate or academic council is not in session, reporting such action at the next meeting.

Court questions emergency claim

"I am surprised to see the memo of charges. What is the emergency situation that arose to issue a memo of charges is not clear from it," Justice Kunhikrishnan observed.

Kumar highlighted that the memo was not placed before the syndicate meeting held on 24 December 2025, suggesting procedural irregularities.

Stay on proceedings

The court noted, "I am of the prima facie opinion that the memo of charges was issued by the Vice Chancellor without any authority. The Vice Chancellor will explain why Section 10(13) of the Act was invoked to issue a memo of charges treating it as an emergency situation."

All proceedings pursuant to the memo will remain stayed until further orders. The Vice Chancellor may file a counter-affidavit and indicate any urgent matter.

Background

In December 2025, Kumar was transferred to his parent department after expressing reluctance to continue as Kerala University registrar in communication with the state government.