Kerala High Court Orders Calicut University Senate Election Within 30 Days for VC Search Panel

The order responds to a standstill in the vice-chancellor appointment after the Senate nominee withdrew from the search committee.

Overview

Justice V. G. Arun directed the University of Calicut to convene its Senate within 30 days to elect a replacement for Prof. A. Sabu, who recused from the Search-Cum-Selection Committee.
The court required that the elected member's consent be obtained before the Senate forwards the name to the Chancellor for approval.
Selection for vice-chancellor cannot begin until the committee is duly constituted, though applications already invited will continue to be received subject to the writ petition's outcome.
The State's petition challenges the Chancellor's notifications forming the committee and inviting applications, arguing these are executive functions under constitutional provisions.
After an eligibility objection under UGC rules, the Chancellor's earlier nominee Prof. E. D. Jemmis was replaced by Prof. G. U. Kulkarni, and the case is listed for further hearing on January 5, 2026.