Dr Rajasree -Supreme Court of India | Photos: Mathrubhumi , ANI
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday set aside the appointment of Dr Rajasree MS as vice-chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar pronounced the verdict.
The apex court earlier observed that the search committee to appoint VC did not recommend three names to the Chancellor as stipulated by the UGC. Instead, it unanimously recommended Rajasree.
The appointment dates back to February 2, 2019. Dr Sreejith PS, former dean of CUSAT, challenged the appointment citing various reasons. He said the chief secretary cannot be a member of the search committee as the regulation states that persons should not be connected to the university, but should be a prominent persons in education sector.
He also said that instead of a nominee proposed by the UGC chairman, All India Council for Technical Education's nominee was added a member to the committee, which is again violation of rules. Sreejith also contended that panel system was not followed for the appointment.
Reports said 26 applied for the VC post and 22 qualified for it. From that five were shortlisted. However, the search committee did not forward any names but only the name of Rajasree. The then Governor P Sathasivam who held Chancellor’s post approved it.
Meanwhile, the state argued before the court that as per the 2013 order of the UGC, the state can make appointments based on state laws and the appointment of Rajasree was valid.
The new development comes at this juncture.
Reacting to the verdict, Sreejith said that he received justice for the principles he stood for.
Meanwhile, the verdict is expected to give ammunition for Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Opposition, who have been raising allegations on Pinarayi Vijayan regime's nexus in VC appointments.
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