University VCs move Kerala High Court against show cause notice issued by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan for removal from office

The Vice Chancellors of several universities in Kerala have moved the Kerala High Court challenging the show cause notices issued to them by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan for removing them from their posts..Kerala has been witnessing a tussle between the Governor and the State government on this issue with the main point of contention being the Governor's right to remove and appoint VCs to universities in exercise of his power as Chancellor of universities.A week ago, the spat reached new heights when the Governor, on Sunday, October 23, sent letters to 9 VCs, directing them to tender resignation by the next day. The VCs moved the High Court which then convened a special hearing on Diwali, a court holiday, to hear their challenge to said order.By then, the Governor had sent show cause notices to the VCs asking them to justify why they shouldn't be removed from their post in light of the recent decision of the Supreme Court in Professor (Dr.) Sreejith PS v. Dr. Rajasree MS & Ors., setting aside the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University.According to the Governor, the manner of appointment of these 9 VCs had been improper. The High Court had then noted that the challenge to the letters no longer held any value as the Governor issued show cause notices. It set aside the letters and said that the VCs could continue in their posts till the Governor takes a final decision. The VCs have now approached the Court challenging the said show cause notices..The plea moved by Dr. Gopinath Ravindran, VC of Kannur University, claimed that the said notice stated that on failure to show cause as to the legal right of petitioner to hold the post of VC, the Governor may declare his appointment as illegal and void ab initio.Further, it said that the notice stated that the petitioner's appointment was made on the basis of a single name recommended by the selection committee instead of a panel of three names, which according to the Governor, is a mandatory requirement under the UGC Regulation. It added that the search committee had a non academician namely the Chief Secretary of State, which is also contrary to UGC Regulation..The petitioner challenged the show cause notice claiming that it was issued without any authority of law.The plea contended that the Chancellor, being a statutory and administrative authority, cannot adjudicate the validity or otherwise of an appointment. It was also pointed out that the appointment of the petitioner was challenged in a writ of quo warranto and after being upheld by a Division Bench of the High Court, it is currently pending before the Supreme Court. About the judgments of the Supreme Court mentioned by the Governor in the notices, the petitioner argued that there are fundamental differences in the facts of those cases and that they will not apply to his case. .On these, among other grounds, the petitioner sought orders from the Court to quash the show cause notice issued by the Governor. He also sought a declaration that the Governor has no authority to declare his appointment as VC as void ab initio.