Kerala High Court Invalidates Calicut University VC Search Committee Formed by Governor

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has ruled that the Search Committee constituted by the Governor—who is also the Chancellor of Calicut University—for the appointment of a permanent Vice Chancellor has no legal standing. The interim order is seen as a setback to the Governor, who had hurriedly issued a notification bypassing the state government’s objections.

The court held that the committee became invalid after the appointment of two out of its three members was legally challenged. Justice V.G. Arun directed that the process must return to the stage of reconstituting a new Search Committee. The state government had filed a petition questioning the legality of the Search-cum-Selection Committee formed by the Chancellor.

Professor A. Sabu, nominated by the University Senate to the three-member committee, had already resigned. Additionally, the government’s petition questioned the qualification of the Chancellor’s nominee, Dr. Eluvathingal D. Jemmis. Despite this, the Governor issued the notification including Prof. Sabu, without considering the resignation. Prof. Sabu submitted an affidavit in court confirming his resignation, citing responsibilities related to the Kerala State Science Congress.

Although the Chancellor informed the court that Prof. G.U. Kulkarni had been appointed in place of Dr. Jemmis, the court did not accept the substitution. The third member of the committee is the UGC representative, Prof. Ravindra D. Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor of the University of Mumbai.

The court clarified that while it is not intervening in the notification itself, all decisions on applications received for the VC post will remain subject to the final judgment. The petition will be heard again on December 5.