Kochi: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan informed the High Court that there is nothing illegal in the appointment of Dr Riji John as Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS).
"The three-member search committee unanimously recommended Riji John's name for KUFOS VC post. I have approved their proposal," the Governor said in a statement submitted before the HC.
The governor had submitted his statement before the court on November 12. Mathrubhumi News obtained a copy of this statement.
A total of 9 candidates were interviewed for the post of VC in KUFOS. Among these candidates, the search committee selected one. The committee includes one central government representative and two state government representatives.
As per the UGC rule, the search committee should submit a panel of more than one candidate before the governor. Hence, the petitioners pointed out that electing one person unanimously for the post of VC is illegal.
But the governor declined the allegations of illegal appointment in his statement submitted before the court.
Meanwhile, the governor had taken a similar stance on the appointment of Kannur University Vice- Chancellor before the HC earlier. But now, he did a volte-face triggering a controversy.