Nine vice chancellors permitted to continue till Nov 3 by Kerala HC
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Kochi: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan had ordered the vice-chancellors of nine universities to submit their resignations, but the Kerala High Court ruled on Monday that they may stay in their roles until the Governor gives a final ruling.
The vice chancellors have received a show cause notice from the Governor, and they have until November 3 to present their justifications. According to Justice Devan Ramachandran, who presided over a special hearing to hear the case at 4 pm on Monday, the vice-chancellors would be permitted to continue in their roles in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations until the chancellor gives a final order.
In their court filings, the vice-chancellors claimed that the governor, who is also the chancellor of the universities, had ordered them to resign without following the proper protocol. The Supreme Court's decision to set aside the appointment of Kerala Technological University vice chancellor because the UGC regulations were not followed is in the backdrop of the Governor urging the VCs to resign, NIE reported.
The petitioners claimed that the Governor's communication was improper, inept, and outside the scope of the Governor's authority. They maintained that they are unaffected by the Supreme Court's ruling in the Kerala Technological University case. The petitioners' lawyer said that the governor made his judgement without providing them with a chance to present their opinion.
They argued that the Chancellor's actions were blatantly against the laws of justice and fair play.
The petitioners claimed that the ruling cited by the chancellor in the contested communication could not be applied to them because they were appointed in accordance with the 2018 regulations, whereas the SC's ruling was based on the 2010 UGC regulations.
The chancellor's attorney contended that the communication to the VCs was sent in good faith and to alert them to the illegality of their appointments. They were given the chance for an honourable exit to spare them dishonour.
Given that he is fully aware that everyone is working for the same system, the governor acted in good faith. The chancellor was forced to take action in light of SC rulings.