JAYARAM Vs. UNIVERSITY OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, who is stated to be an elected member of the Senate of the University of Kerala (the 'University' for short), seeks that the Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted by the Chancellor of the said University, as per Ext.P3, be directed to be proceeded with the process of selection to the post of its Vice Chancellor.

(2.) Sri.George Poonthottam - learned Senior Counsel, instructed by Smt.Ann Mariya Francis, appearing for the petitioner, explained the genesis of the controversy, saying that when the erstwhile Vice Chancellor of the University was nearing his term - which was to end on 24/10/2022 - the Chancellor called upon the Senate to nominate their member to the Search-cum-Selection Committee, under the provisions of Sec. 10 of the Kerala University Act, 1974 (the 'Act' for short). He asserted that the meeting of the Senate, convened on 15/7/2022, nominated a certain Dr.V.K.Ramachandran as their member; but that on 4/8/2022, he withdrew, citing personal reasons.

(3.) The learned Senior Counsel then submitted that the Registrar of the University, thereafter, intimated the Office of the Chancellor about the above said development and requested that 'new steps' be taken to constitute the Searchcum-Selection Committee; consequent to which, the Chancellor issued a notification, dtd. 5/8/2022, constituting it - a copy of which is on record as Ext.P3 - including the nominee of the University Grants Commission (UGC), along with that of his; and making it clear that third member will be included as and when the nomination is received from the University.