HC refuses to stay Chancellor’s order appointing Ciza Thomas as interim V-C of Digital University-Kerala-OxBig News Network

The Kerala High Court on Friday refused to stay the Chancellor’s order appointing Ciza Thomas as the interim Vice-Chancellor of Digital University-Kerala.

While considering the State government’s petition challenging the appointment, the Bench of Justice A.A. Ziyad Rahman directed the respondents, including the Chancellor, to file statements within three weeks.

The court also issued notices to the respondents and adjourned the case to January 17, 2025, to be heard along with the State government’s petition challenging the appointment of K. Sivaprasad as interim Vice-Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University.

In its petition on Dr. Thomas, the State contended that the Chancellor’s decision violated the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation, and Technology Act and said that the State government had authority to recommend names for appointment as Vice-Chancellor, in the event of a temporary vacancy.

The petition further said the Chancellor had rejected the names of four others that had been proposed by the Secretary, Electronics and Information Technology (B) Department, and appointed Dr. Thomas.

The State further contended that the University Act did not grant the Chancellor unfettered authority to appoint a person of his choice as interim Vice-Chancellor pending the appointment of a regular Vice-Chancellor.