Kochi: Kerala High Court on Monday suspended the selection of Dr Priya Varghese as the associate professor in Malayalam department of the institution till the next hearing of the case.

The interim stay was issued in a petition filed by Dr Joseph Sacaria, second rank holder in the interview.

The move comes days after the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the university, froze the selection.

The court directed the Union Grants Commission (UGC) to be a party in the case and sought an explanation over the petitioner's claim that guidelines and regulations were not followed in the selection process. Joseph Sacaria had argued that Kannur University moved ahead with the appointment of Priya Varghese by disregarding the UGC guidelines. He said Priya lacks necessary qualifications mandated by UGC.

The court will also issue a notice to Priya Varghese. The next hearing is on August 31.

Priya is the wife of CPM leader KK Ragesh, who is also the private secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.