The High Court on Monday dismissed petitions challenging a single bench decision that deemed the appointments of two temporary vice-chancellors for the Kerala University of Digital Sciences Innovation and Technology (KUDSIAT) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) as illegal. The appointments were made without the recommendation of the state government, as reported by The Print and Indian Express.
The High Court’s decision comes amid an administrative stalemate in both universities due to these questionable appointments. The court urged the chancellor and the state government to ensure regular appointments to these posts without further delay.
K Sivaprasad was appointed as the vice-chancellor of KUDSIAT, and P V Balakrishnan took charge at KTU in temporary capacities, triggering legal challenges from various quarters due to their appointments being made without the state government’s recommendation. The legality of these appointments had been a topic of debate among political circles and educationists in Kerala.
The High Court’s dismissal of the petitions paves the way for regular appointments to be made at both universities. However, it remains to be seen how the state government and the chancellor respond to this directive. In the meantime, Ciza Thomas continues to serve as the acting vice-chancellor of KTU, while KUDSIAT awaits a permanent vice-chancellor.
This development underscores the ongoing tension in Kerala’s higher education sector over the appointment process for key administrative posts. The state government has been under pressure to address these issues and restore normalcy in the administration of both universities, which have seen significant delays in decision-making and lack of clear leadership due to the stalemate.
