New Delhi, Dec 11 (UNI) Amid the protracted standoff between the Kerala government and the state Governor over the appointment of regular vice chancellors in two state universities, the Supreme Court today directed Justice (Retd.) Sudhanshu Dhulia Committee to recommend one name for each university after examining all correspondence exchanged between the Chief Minister and the Chancellor.
A Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan ordered that the committee’s recommendations be submitted in a sealed cover by next Wednesday, following which the matter will be taken up again on December 18.
The issue concerns VC appointments at APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the University of Digital Sciences Innovation and Technology. At the outset, Attorney General R. Venkataramani sought to place before the court a confidential reply sent by the Governor (as Chancellor) to the chief minister.
The bench declined to open or examine the letter. Justice Pardiwala remarked: “Don’t open it, we will not get into all this.” Appearing for the Kerala government, senior advocate Jaideep Gupta informed the court that the chief minister objected only to one name Dr Ciza Thomas, and raised no dispute over the other recommended candidates.
Gupta submitted that during her tenure as temporary VC, “she completely disrupted the functioning of the university.” However, the court noted that the Dhulia Committee itself had shortlisted her name, prompting Gupta to clarify that the list was not ranked in order of merit, and that the final order of preference had to be given by the chief minister in line with the court’s August 18 order.
Recording its dissatisfaction, the court said, “Despite best efforts, the deadlock continues. The chancellor and the chief minister have not been able to reach any consensus. Except for exchange of letters, nothing substantial has happened.”
It added that the court would now rely on the Dhulia Committee to examine the letters exchanged and submit a consolidated recommendation naming one candidate per university.
The conflict stems from disagreements over the appointment of regular VCs. The Chancellor has preferred the appointment of Dr Ciza Thomas and Dr Priya Chandran, whereas the state has opposed the inclusion of Dr Thomas.
Previously, the Supreme Court had criticised the governor for delays despite the Dhulia Committee’s recommendations. The court had directed the chancellor to make appointments in the order of preference given by the chief minister.
The apex court clarified that until regular appointments are made, the governor may re-appoint temporary VCs. The matter arises from a Special Leave Petition filed by the governor challenging a Kerala High Court decision that quashed his appointment of a temporary VC made without the state government’s recommendation.
The Kerala High Court had held that under Section 13(7) of the Technological University Act, the chancellor may appoint a temporary VC only with the state government’s recommendation, and for a period not exceeding six months.
Appointments made in November 2024 of Dr K. Sivaprasad and Dr Ciza Thomas as temporary VCs were quashed by a single judge on May 19, and the decision was upheld by a division bench. The Supreme Court will revisit the matter on December 18, after receiving the committee’s sealed-cover recommendations.
SC directs Justice Dhulia Committee to submit one name each for two Kerala VC posts amid ongoing deadlock
