Kerala High Court Extends Stay On Appointment Of Priya Varghese As Associate Professor In Kannur University

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday extended its stay on the appointment of Priya Varghese, wife of K.K. Ragesh - who is private secretary to the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, as an Associate Professor at the Department of Malayalam, in Kannur University. 

Justice Devan Ramachandran extended the court's interim order, while adjourning the case challenging Varghese's appointment.

When the matter was taken up today, Advocate I.V. Pramod, appearing for Kannur University, submitted that Senior Advocate P. Ravindran will appear in the case, and sought a short adjournment. Thereby, the court adjourned the matter to November 2. 

The petition moved by the second rank holder through Advocates George Poonthottam, P.Santharam, P.G.Gokulnath and Rekha Aravind seeks 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 Varghese.

The petitioner has alleged that 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 previously, the petitioner asserted that she was not eligible to be appointed as an Associate Professor as per the Statute of Kannur University and Regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Staying the appointment of Varghese, the court on August 22 had ordered that until 31st August, no appointments are to be made from the Rank List, particularly because it is shown only as a "provisional" one. The stay order has been continued.

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