Kerala High Court Issues Notice Before Admission On Plea Alleging VC Illegally Replaced Kerala University Standing Counsel

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 1) issued notice before admission in a plea challenging the appointment of Advocate Girija Gopal as standing counsel for the University of Kerala, by the Vice-Chancellor.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, however, dispensed with notice to Advocate Girija as well as Advocate Thomas Abraham, who was replaced by Girija.

The petition was preferred by Dr. Manoj T.R., who is a Syndicate member of the University and is an associate professor in the History department of MSM College, Kayamkulam.

In the plea, it is pointed out that as per Chapter 40 of the Kerala University First Statutes, 1977, the University's Syndicate is the competent authority for appointing the standing counsel for the varsity.

The plea further states that the last meeting of the Syndicate was convened in March but no business was transacted due to the prevalence of the Model Code of Conduct and no meeting was convened by the VC for the last 3 months.

In 2016, Advocate Abraham was appointed by the Syndicate. Thereafter, on June 29, the VC terminated Abraham as the Standing Counsel and appointed Girija instead vide an order passed invoking his powers under Section 10(13) of the Kerala University Act, 1974.

As per the plea, the afore power could be invoked only when the Syndicate is not in session and in exigencies, genuinely justified. Thus, the petition terms that VC's order as legally unsustainable and an abuse of power, bypassing the powers of the Syndicate.

Though he had preferred a representation before the VC outlining these aspects, no action has been taken on the same, it is claimed.

The petitioner has thus prays for quashing the VC order and for a declaration that the VC has no power to pass such an order terminating Abraham or appointing Girija. He has also sought for a consideration of the afore representation.

As an interim relief, the petitioner has prayed for a stay of the order appointing Girija. However, stay has not yet been granted.

The case is posted to July 13 (Monday) for further consideration.

The petition is moved by Advocates Asif M.A. and Gautham H. Senior Advocate George Poonthottam and Advocate Nisha George is appearing for the University and the Vice-Chancellor.

Case No: WP(C) 22287/2026

Case Title: Dr. Manoj T.R. v. University of Kerala and Ors.