University VCs appointed after Kerala Governor and CM meet to resolve standoff; Supreme Court lauds efforts

The Supreme Court was informed on Thursday that the standoff between the Kerala government and the Governor of Kerala over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs) to APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Digital University has been resolved [The Chancellor, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University vs. State of Kerala and Ors.].

A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan had previously directed a court-appointed committee headed by retired Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia to submit a panel of at least three names for the post of VC in the two universities.

Attorney General (AG) N Venkatramani for the Governor and Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta for the State of Kerala informed the Bench today that the Governor and the Kerala government have reached a consensus and that VCs have been appointed to the two Universities from the panel of candidates.

AG Venkataramani said that the Governor himself called the Chief Minister to resolve the deadlock.

"I have been talking with the Governor. When this deadlock was going on, the Governor himself called the Chief Minister and they had a meeting. And that is how it got resolved finally," AG Venkatramani added.

Justice Pardiwala orally expressed his hope that the authorities continue to engage in this manner and iron out their issues.

"I hope in the future they keep talking like this and arrive at an understanding in the larger interest of the country," Justice Pardiwala said.

In the order passed today, the Bench recorded its appreciation for the parties for breaking the deadlock and commended the work of Justice Dhulia.

"Today, we are happy to record that both the Chancellor and the Government have in one voice reported that the appointments to the post of VC in the two universities have been made from the list of panel candidates. We place on record our gratitude for the good office that Justice Sudhanshu Dholia has brought to bear on this matter. Our endeavour was to ensure that the institutions have a permanent head, which alone would ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are safeguarded. We place on record our appreciation for the authorities before us who are parties in the matter, who, in the true spirit of the constitution, have acted in aid of the orders of this Court," the order stated.

The order was passed on the Kerala Governor’s plea relating to the appointment of regular Vice-Chancellors to the two universities. The matter has been pending amid continued disagreement between the Governor (Chancellor) and the State government.

The Court today noted that its intervention seems to have gone a long way in ensuring that the university did not remain "rudderless" any longer.

"This case illustrates how a timely and decisive intervention by this court can go a long way in protecting the rights of the citizens. Two prominent universities in Kerala, which deal with cutting-edge subjects, were rudderless for a long time. They had no permanent Vice-Chancellors heading them. The only reason was that a consensus was eluding the Government and the Chancellor", the Court noted in its order.

It went on to say that its primary concern was for the students and teaching staff of the universities who were caught in the crossfire between the Governor and the government.

"When the doors of this court were knocked, we were deeply concerned about the plight of the students, their parents, the teaching and non-teaching staff, including in affiliated bodies. In short, our concern was for all these stakeholders. They were unfortunately caught in the crossfire", the Court said.

The Court said it appreciated the efforts of the authorities which have finally brought the matter to a close.

"By promulgating the orders of appointment, curtains have been gracefully brought down in this matter by the authorities concerned. We also appreciate and place on record our gratitude to AG Venkatramani and Sr. Adv. Jaideep Gupta, and to the teams assisting them for bringing a happy ending to this saga," the Court said.

However, the Court clarified that the other questions of law which were raised in the petition are left open and will be considered at a later date.

Before the hearing ended, Senior Advocate Gupta said that the consensus would not have been reached without the intervention of the Court.

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