DR. USHA V. PARAMESWARAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners are aspirants to the posts of Assistant Professors in the second respondent University. In this writ petition, they challenge the constitutional validity of Sec. 45A of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies Act, 2010 (hereinafter, referred to as the KUFOS Act) in so far as it relates to the prescription of qualification for teaching posts, and also the notification issued by the University for filling up of teaching posts with such prescription.

(2.) I have heard Sri.P.Ravindran, the learned Senior Counsel on behalf of the petitioners, the learned Government Pleader for respondents 1, 2 and 3, Sri.T.C.Krishna, the learned counsel for the 4th respondent, Sri.James Abraham (Vilayakattu), the learned counsel for additional respondents 5 to 15, Sri.Isaac Kuruvilla Illikal, the learned counsel for additional respondent No.16 and Sri.Jaju Babu, the learned Senior Counsel for the University.

(3.) KUFOS Act, 2010 was amended by Act 18 of 2021 incorporating Sec. 45A. The writ petition was filed prior to the passing of the Act and when the amendment ordinance was promulgated.