The Kerala High Court on Thursday issued a stay order on the constitution of a search committee by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for the appointment of a vice chancellor for the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS).
Justice Ziyad Rahman A A granted the stay while hearing a petition filed by the state government. The court’s order halts all procedures related to the search committee for a period of one month.
In June, Governor Khan had issued a notification regarding the formation of search committees for selecting vice chancellors for six universities in Kerala, asserting that he was fulfilling his duties. He noted that there had been a wilful omission by university authorities, despite reminders from his office.
Acting in his capacity as chancellor of the state’s universities, Khan had issued notifications for the appointment of vice chancellors for Kerala University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Kerala Agricultural University, and Malayalam University.
The state government challenged the governor’s action in connection with the KUFOS appointment, prompting the court’s intervention.
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The notifications for the six universities stated that the governor’s decision was based on his authority as chancellor, as provided by the University Act, and in compliance with a Kerala High Court judgement dated December 8, 2022.
