Kannur University Case| Kerala High Court Stays Appointment Of Priya Varghese As Associate Professor Till 31st August

The Kerala High Court on Monday stayed the appointment of Priya Varghese, wife of K.K. Ragesh, private secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as an Associate Professor at the Department of Malayalam in Kannur University till August 31st. 

Justice Devan Ramachandran has passed the interim order staying the appointment of Priya Varghese as an associate professor in a petition filed by the second rank holder in the list. 

The petition filed by the second rank holder through Advocates George Poonthottam, P.Santharam, P.G.Gokulnath and Rekha Aravind sought a directive to the Kannur University and its selection committee to rework the rank list for the post of Associate Professor at the Department of Malayalam after removing Priya Varghese.

The petitioner also contended that Mrs Varghese was not qualified enough to be called for the interview as she did not have the requisite teaching experience. However, she was interviewed, and the selection committee gave her first rank.

When the matter was taken up for hearing today, the petitioner asserted that the 5th respondent is not eligible to be appointed as an Associate Professor as per the Statues of Kannur University and the applicable Regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The Court thereby ordered that until the next posting, no appointments are to be made from the Rank List, particularly because it is shown only as a "provisional" one. 

Standing Counsel for respondents 2,4 and 6 Advocate I.V. Pramod, Standing Counsel for Chancellor of Universities in Kerala Advocate M.U. Vijayalakshmi and Special Government Pleader for the 3rd respondent sought time for obtaining instructions. 

The Court also recorded the submissions of Advocate Pramod that no appointment has been made from the Rank List as some proceedings qua it are pending before the Chancellor of the University. 

As the petitioner edified his case on the applicable Regulations of the University Grants Commission, the Court was necessitated to suo motu impleaded the Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), as an additional respondent to the case, and directed the petitioner to furnish a copy of the petition to Advocate Krishnamoorthy, the Standing Counsel for UGC.

Further, the Court directed the Standing Counsel for UGC to get instructions as to the veracity of the claims made by the petitioner. 

The matter has been posted for 31st August for further consideration. 

Case Title: Dr Joseph Skariah v. Vice Chancellor (Selection Committee Chairman)

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw(Ker) 446

Click Here To Read/Download The Order