Kerala HC criticises ongoing tussle between VC and Registrar over suspension linked to Bharat Mata portrait event. Court seeks response as Registrar alleges abuse of power by Vice-Chancellor.
Kerala: A legal dispute is unfolding between the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Kerala University and its Registrar, Dr. KS Anil Kumar, which the Kerala High Court on Thursday described as a “cat and mouse game”.
Justice TR Ravi of the High Court made this oral observation while hearing a fresh petition filed by Dr. Kumar, challenging the VC’s decision to continue keeping him under suspension.
The case goes back to an incident on July 2, when Dr. Kumar cancelled a university seminar that featured Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar as a guest.
The cancellation happened because the stage had a portrait of Bharat Mata with a saffron flag, a matter that has stirred political and ideological debates in the State.
The Kerala government and some ministers have objected to the presence of such portraits in official events, claiming it carries religious symbolism.
The Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the University, was already on stage when the event was cancelled, leading to a controversy and allegations of disrespect toward the Chancellor.
As a result of this, the Vice-Chancellor suspended Dr. Kumar. Dr. Kumar then approached the Kerala High Court with a writ petition against the suspension.
However, he later withdrew the petition after the University Syndicate passed a resolution on July 6 to revoke his suspension.
His lawyer informed the court that the case had become “infructuous” due to this development, and he was allowed to withdraw the plea.
But the issue did not end there. Between July 8 and July 29, the Vice-Chancellor issued further communications stating that Dr. Kumar would remain suspended.
According to the VC’s office, the Syndicate’s resolution to revoke the suspension was only “formally reported” in the July 6 meeting and not formally approved by the Vice-Chancellor.
It was noted that
“The Syndicate’s meeting minutes and decision were subject to the VC’s approval,” and “Dr. KS Anil Kumar continues to be under suspension, as no lawful order of revocation or modification has been issued by the competent authority.”
Dr. Kumar was also asked not to enter the University campus and was barred from handling any official files. Feeling aggrieved, Dr. Kumar has now filed a fresh petition before the Kerala High Court, saying that the VC is misusing his powers and acting beyond his authority.
In the petition, he has asked the court to cancel the VC’s orders and allow him to return to his duties as Registrar.
While hearing the new petition, Justice TR Ravi remarked,
“Everyday, we see on TV – a cat and mouse game going on.”
Senior Advocate Elvin Peter PJ, appearing on behalf of Dr. Kumar, argued that the VC is not following the rules laid down in the Kerala University Act and the University Statutes.
He submitted,
“Whether right or wrong, the Syndicate has taken a decision. The Vice-Chancellor is ignoring the provisions of the Act.”
The senior counsel also told the Court that Dr. Kumar had waited for over a month in hopes that the issue would be resolved amicably, but that did not happen.
The Kerala University and the Vice-Chancellor were represented by standing counsel Thomas Abraham. The High Court has asked the University and the VC to respond to Dr. Kumar’s plea. The matter is now posted for further hearing on August 4.
Click Here to Read More Reports On PMLA
