SC quashes Kerala govt's appointment of Kannur University Vice-Chancellor
Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the re-appointment of Dr Gopinath Raveendran as the Vice-Chancellor of Kannur University. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud observed that the Kerala government's «unwarranted interference» in the case has vitiated the re-appointment.
The bench held that only the Chancellor (Kerala Governor) can make appointments to the post and not even the pro-chancellor can intervene in the matter.
In the instant case, the bench noted that the chancellor had, in fact, issued a notification appointing Dr Raveendran to the post.
However, even the said notification stood tainted by unwarranted interference of the Kerala government, the SC ruled.
Though the court found force in Kerala government's contention that the re-appointment was not hit by the age-limit prescription. However, the bench quashed the re-appointment on the ground of «excessive» state interference.
The SC also set aside a February 2022 Kerala High Court order which had upheld the re-appointment of Dr Raveendran to the post.
Passing the order the Bench said, «If any statutory authority interferes, then it would be patently illegal.
