Kerala High Court Finds Appointment Of VC Of Kerala University Of Digital Sciences Unsustainable, Allows Her To Complete Term

The Kerala High Court recently held that the appointment of Dr. Ciza Thomas as the Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Digital Sciences Innovation and Technology was unsustainable. Justice P. Gopinath ordered thus in a petition filed by the State challenging the appointment. The appointment was made by the then-Chancellor of the University and former Governor of the State, Arif Mohammad Khan. The Court has also declared the appointment made by him to the post of VC in the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University unsustainable in law.The Court said that as per Section 11(10) of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology Act, 2021, the appointment has to be made on the basis of a recommendation made by the Government. Therefore, the Court observed that the present appointment cannot be sustained.However, noting that the term of the current VC is to expire by 27th May, the Court said that there was no need to dislodge her. Dr. Thomas was appointed on 27th November 2024 by the Chancellor to exercise the powers of the VC for a period of 6 months until a VC is appointed on a regular basis. The Court directed the State to recommend to the Chancellor names of persons who have a prescribed qualification as per the UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualification for appointment of Teachers in Universities and Colleges, 2018, to be appointed as a temporary VC. Further, it was also directed to take steps to make the appointment of a VC on a regular basis. The Court clarified that if during appointment, it is found out that the University Act is in conflict with the UGC Regulations, the UGC Regulations will prevail in those matters of conflict.Counsel for the Petitioner: Advocates Asok M. Cherian (Addl. AG), N. Manoj Kumar (State Attorney) V. Manu (Spl. GP)Counsel for the Respondents: Advocates S. Prasanth (SC), Nisha George, P. Sreekumar (Sr.), George Poonthottam (Sr.), A. L. Navaneeth Krishnan, Kavya Varma M. M., Silpa SreekumarCase No: WP(C) 42637 of 2024Case Title: State of Kerala v The Chancellor and OthersCitation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 283Click Here To Read/ Download Order

Kerala High Court Finds Appointment Of VC Of Kerala University Of Digital Sciences Unsustainable, Allows Her To Complete Term

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