Latest news with #KeralaUniversitySyndicate
The Hindu
06-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala HC closes contempt proceedings against former MLA R. Rajesh
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday closed a contempt of court petition filed against R. Rajesh, former MLA and member of the Kerala University Syndicate, on the charge of using 'insinuation and intemperate language' in his Facebook post about the Bench of the court that had heard university matters. The suo motu contempt proceedings were initiated by a Single Bench stating that prima facie the former MLA had used insinuation and intemperate language in his FB post on July 6, to interfere with court proceedings and to scandalise the court. A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar closed the contempt of court proceedings, by allowing a discharge application. For this, the court cited procedural violations in the initiation and conduct of the proceedings against him. Mr. Rajesh appeared in person for Wednesday's hearing, during the course of which his counsel contended that the contempt proceedings were initiated in violation of the contempt of court legislations. His counsel said the Single Bench had not only initiated the proceedings, but also framed charges and issued notice before the matter was placed before the Chief Justice for the allocation of an appropriate Bench. He went on to cite Supreme Court and Kerala High Court rulings that emphasised the need for strict adherence to procedural rules in contempt proceedings. The counsel further submitted that contempt petitions ought to be placed before a Division Bench, as per rules. In his FB post, written in Malayalam, Mr. Rajesh had said the 'Centre was trying to destroy and control the State's higher education sector. Chancellors are tasked solely to politically control universities, while they appoint Vice-Chancellors even without considering their qualifications. The HC Bench that hears university cases deliberately appoints staunch Sangh Parivar supporters.'
New Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
KU crisis: Pro-left syndicate members counter Gurukkal's statement, demand its withdrawal
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pro-left Syndicate members of Kerala University have urged Kerala State Higher Education Council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal to retract his statement blaming the Kerala University Syndicate for the current crisis in the university. The Syndicate members said Gurukkal's aspersions on the Syndicate were not only erroneous but also lent unintended grist to the Sangh Parivar's mill. In a statement on July 20, Gurukkal had said the Syndicate's ignorance of the Act and Statutes was the prime reason for the crisis. According to M Lenin Lal, pro-LDF syndicate member, Gurukkal's accusation of statutory violations by the Kerala University Syndicate is wholly unfounded. The real flashpoint lies in the overreach of Vice-Chancellor-in-Charge Mohanan Kunnummal. On July 2, Kunnummal suspended Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar for cancelling a private event at the Senate Hall, where a portrait of Bharat Mata, adorned with a saffron flag, was displayed in the presence of Governor Rajendra Arlekar. Citing Section 10(13) of the Kerala University Act, Kunnummal claimed an emergency necessitated his decision. However, Section 10(14) explicitly restricts the Vice-Chancellor's authority to suspend officers above the rank of Deputy Registrar, such as the Registrar, a senior officer under Chapter III, Section 9.
