Kerala HC cancels appointment of KUFOS VC for violating UGC norms

A bench of Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly said "regulations of the UGC that mandate that a list of three or more candidates be forwarded to the Chancellor for appointment were not followed in the case of K Riji John being appointed as Vice-Chancellor of KUFOS."

Kerala HC cancels appointment of KUFOS VC for violating UGC norms

The Kerala High Court has quashed the appointment of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) Vice Chancellor stating that he was appointed in violation of University Grants Commission (UGC) norms. A bench of Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly said "regulations of the UGC that mandate that a list of three or more candidates be forwarded to the Chancellor for appointment were not followed in the case of K Riji John being appointed as Vice-Chancellor of KUFOS."

The court further said that "the Chancellor may initiate the process of forming a search committee to select a new Vice-Chancellor and added that, henceforth, the selection of the Vice-Chancellor should strictly follow the UGC norms. The order came on two pleas challenging the appointment of John."

The order further cleared Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's recent action seeking John's resignation on the same grounds after the Supreme Court had held that according to UGC norms, the search committee constituted by the state should have recommended a panel of not less than three suitable people. 

The Governor had, thereafter, sent a show cause notice to John asking why he should be allowed to continue as Vice-Chancellor in view of the apex court ruling which came while setting aside the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University on the ground that it was in violation of UGC norms.

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