A division bench of the Kerala High Court on Monday upheld its earlier ruling that deemed the appointments of temporary vice-chancellors (V-Cs) for the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the Digital University as legally untenable. The court stated that the governor can only appoint temporary V-Cs in his capacity as chancellor, but such appointments are limited to a period not exceeding six months.
According to the ruling, the chancellor does not possess the authority to delegate powers or duties of the vice-chancellors of either university until further orders. The decision was made in response to an appeal filed by the governor challenging a single bench verdict from earlier this year.
The Universities Act specifies that the chancellor has the power to appoint a vice-chancellor, but it does not grant explicit authority for temporary appointments. In light of this, the court’s ruling is expected to bring clarity and consistency in the appointment process for these key educational positions.
K Gopalakrishna Kurup, an advocate and legal expert based in Kerala, commented on the matter saying, “The high court’s decision reiterates the importance of adhering to the established rules and regulations when it comes to appointing temporary vice-chancellors. It underlines the need for transparency and due process in our educational institutions.”
As this story unfolds, stakeholders will closely watch if any further action is taken by the governor or the affected universities in response to the high court’s ruling. Meanwhile, the Universities Act and the role of the chancellor remain under scrutiny as key factors in shaping higher education governance in Kerala.
