New Delhi: Priya Varghese has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, requesting the court not to annul her appointment as Associate Professor at Kannur University. She has stated in the petition that the decision of the Selection Committee cannot be cancelled. Priya Varghese clearly states in her affidavit that her selection is based on merit and eligibility.

The affidavit was filed when the Supreme Court is set to consider a batch of petitions challenging the High Court's decision of Priya Varghese's appointment on Tuesday. Both the UGC and Joseph Zakariah have appealed against the High Court's decision. Justices J. K. Maheshwari and Sudhanshu Duliya are part of the bench overseeing the petitions.

The Selection Committee consisting of experts has selected her as the top candidate, explained Priya Varghese in her affidavit. She said that she possesses all the qualifications stipulated by the UGC regulations for the appointment of Associate Professor. Advocates Biju P. Raman and K. R. Subhash Chandran filed the affidavit on her behalf in the SC.

The appointment of Priya Varghese is in accordance with the law, as per the affidavit filed by the state government in the Supreme court. It has been stated in the affidavit that deputation is a common practice, and if it reduces the eligibility for deputation, then the teaching staff may not be ready to take up roles as programme coordinators. Standing counsel C.K. Sashi filed the affidavit in the Supreme Court.

Earlier, Kannur University also filed a plea in the SC clarifying that the appointment was made legally.