New Delhi: Quashing the Kerala Government’s plea against Kerala Technological University's former VC in-charge Ciza Thomas, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that the employees should not be troubled in the tug-of-war between the governor and the State government. 

The apex court has also criticised the State for filing the petition against Ciza Thomas. The State had issued a show cause notice to Ciza Thomas for taking over as the KTU VC without the government's nod.  

Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta argued that the government has the right to issue show cause notice and take action if necessary under Section 48 of the Code of Conduct for the government servants. However, the SC bench, comprising Justice J K Maheshwari and P S Narasimha, disagreed with it.

Pointing out that Ciza is a government servant, the Supreme Court directed that employees should not be bothered by the power struggle between the governor and the government. The court also dismissed the state government's petition seeking an elaborate hearing on the matter. 

Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta and standing counsel Nishe Rajan Shankar appeared for the Kerala Government, while Senior lawyer Raghavendra Srivatsa and advocates Usha Nandini and Koshy Jacob appeared for Ciza Thomas who filed a caveat.

The Governor had appointed Ciza Thomas as the vice-chancellor in charge after the Supreme Court had annulled the appointment of former Vice Chancellor Rajasree M S, following which the government moved HC which in turn approved her appointment.