Latest news with #APJAbdulKalamTechnologicalUniversity
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Release pension, benefits to Ciza Thomas in 2 weeks: HC to govt
Kochi: In a major setback to the state govt, Kerala high court on Friday ordered the release of all terminal benefits due to Ciza Thomas, former vice-chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (formerly Kerala Technological University), within two weeks. Allowing the petition filed by Thomas seeking the disbursement of pensionary benefits and monthly pension, a division bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Johnson John held that the govt violated her fundamental rights by denying her terminal benefits. Thomas retired from service on March 31, 2023. On the same day, a charge memo was issued to her, alleging that she had assumed charge as the vice-chancellor without the approval of the govt. However, despite these rulings, the state govt continued to withhold her death-cum-retirement gratuity and other retirement benefits, prompting her to approach the court once again. The only justification provided by the govt for withholding her pensionary benefits was that it had filed a review petition before the apex court against the dismissal of its special leave petition challenging the quashing of proceedings against Thomas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The court observed that no disciplinary proceedings were pending against her, no adverse claims were raised, and a liability certificate was already issued. Citing Rule 3 of Part III of the Kerala Service Rules (KSR), it clarified that the govt may withhold pension only if departmental or judicial proceedings are pending. In the absence of such proceedings, the withholding of pensionary benefits was held to be unlawful. The court further criticised the govt's actions, stating that they amounted to a flagrant violation of her fundamental rights and constituted harassment for having accepted the office of the vice-chancellor at the instance of the former chancellor and governor. She was serving as senior joint director at the technical education department earlier. The high court subsequently quashed the charge memo proceedings, and this decision was later upheld by the Supreme Court. It remarked that such gross injustice to a distinguished govt servant could not be overlooked. It reaffirmed that the right to pension is a property right under the Constitution and cannot be denied except through a procedure established by law. Regarding the issue of interest, the court held that the petitioner can approach the tribunal, which is competent to decide the matter. Thomas is currently serving as the temporary vice-chancellor of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University Kerala), in accordance with the chancellor's directive.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Issue of temporary VC appointments: Kerala high court extends status quo
Kochi: HC has extended its previous order directing status quo with respect to the temporary vice-chancellors (VCs) of the Digital University and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University until June 6. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and P V Balakrishnan issued the interim order on the appeals filed by the chancellor and the temporary VCs, challenging the single bench judgment, which held that their appointments were legally unsustainable as they were made without the recommendation of the state govt. The court adjourned the appeals to June 2. The single bench had earlier held that the appointments of Ciza Thomas (Digital University) and K Sivaprasad (Technological University) were not in accordance with law, owing to the absence of a recommendation from the state. However, it declined to interfere with the appointments, noting that the statutory six-month tenure of temporary VCs was set to expire on May 27. Chancellor filed appeals contending that the Supreme Court has recognised the chancellor's independent authority in appointing VCs and that the requirement of state govt recommendation under the University Acts is inconsistent with the UGC Regulations, 2018. It was also argued that the six-month tenure limit applies only under the University Acts, and that the incumbents could continue until regular appointments are made.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
HC orders status quo on V-Cs' appointment till June 6
The Kerala High Court has extended its previous order directing that status quo be maintained with respect to Vice-Chancellors of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology and the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University until June 6. The interim order came on the appeals filed by the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellors, challenging the judgment of the single Bench, which had held that the appointment as V-Cs of Ciza Thomas (Digital University) and K. Sivaprasad (Technological University) was not in accordance with law, owing to the absence of a recommendation from the State. In his appeal, the Chancellor said the Supreme Court had recognised the independent authority of the Chancellor in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors. He further contended that the requirement of the State government's recommendation under the university Acts was inconsistent with UGC Regulations, 2018. He further contended that the six-month tenure limit applied only under the university Acts, and that the incumbents could continue until regular appointments are made.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Governor moves Kerala HC against single bench order terming appointment of temporary vice-chancellors as legally untenable, ET Education
Advt Advt Kochi: Kerala governor , in his capacity as chancellor of the state's universities, has filed appeals before HC challenging a single bench order that declared as legally untenable the notifications issued by the chancellor appointing temporary vice-chancellors (VCs) to the Digital University and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University The division bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and P V Balakrishnan on Monday adjourned the appeals to Tuesday to consider them along with two other appeals filed by Ciza Thomas, temporary VC of Digital University and K Sivaprasad, temporary VC of Technological University, challenging the same in the state govt's pleas challenging the temporary VC appointments, the single bench held that, as per the University Acts governing both institutions, such appointments must be made on the recommendation of the state govt. However, the single bench declined to interfere with the notifications, observing that the statutory tenure of a temporary VC is limited to six months and that the terms of Sivaprasad and Ciza are set to expire on May his appeal, the chancellor contended that the Supreme Court in Premachandran Keezhoth vs chancellor, Kannur University had laid down the principle that the chancellor must act independently and without external interference in the matter of VC appointments. He further challenged the provision in the University Acts requiring state govt recommendation, arguing that it runs contrary to the University Grants Commission (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, chancellor also submitted that the single bench failed to consider the relevant legal and factual aspects involved in the matter.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Governor moves Kerala HC against single bench order terming appointment of temporary vice-chancellors as legally untenable
Kochi: Kerala governor, in his capacity as chancellor of the state's universities, has filed appeals before HC challenging a single bench order that declared as legally untenable the notifications issued by the chancellor appointing temporary vice-chancellors (VCs) to the Digital University and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. The division bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and P V Balakrishnan on Monday adjourned the appeals to Tuesday to consider them along with two other appeals filed by Ciza Thomas, temporary VC of Digital University and K Sivaprasad, temporary VC of Technological University, challenging the same judgment. Earlier, in the state govt's pleas challenging the temporary VC appointments, the single bench held that, as per the University Acts governing both institutions, such appointments must be made on the recommendation of the state govt. However, the single bench declined to interfere with the notifications, observing that the statutory tenure of a temporary VC is limited to six months and that the terms of Sivaprasad and Ciza are set to expire on May 27. In his appeal, the chancellor contended that the Supreme Court in Premachandran Keezhoth vs chancellor, Kannur University had laid down the principle that the chancellor must act independently and without external interference in the matter of VC appointments. He further challenged the provision in the University Acts requiring state govt recommendation, arguing that it runs contrary to the University Grants Commission (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2018. The chancellor also submitted that the single bench failed to consider the relevant legal and factual aspects involved in the matter.
