In a setback for Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, the Supreme Court on September 22 declined his plea to exclude Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from the committee overseeing the appointment of Vice Chancellors at two universities. The Court stated that the matter would be considered after retired Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, chairperson of the search-cum-selection committee, submits his report.
The Governor had sought the Chief Minister&rsquo;s removal from the selection panel for appointments at APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and the Digital University of Kerala (DUK). The application argued that the CM&rsquo;s involvement violated UGC norms due to his executive role in state-run colleges affiliated with these universities.
The dispute stems from a prolonged tussle between the Kerala government and the Governor over university appointments. Earlier, on August 18, the Supreme Court appointed Justice Dhulia to lead the committee and directed that the Chief Minister consider the panel&rsquo;s recommendations before finalising the VCs.
The Governor filed a fresh petition on September 2, seeking modification of that order, but the Court made it clear the issue would be revisited only after the committee&rsquo;s findings are presented.
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Supreme Court refuses to exclude Kerala CM from VC selection committee, awaits report

SC Rejects Kerala Governor’s Plea on VCs

Supreme Court refuses to exclude Kerala CM from VC selection committee, awaits report

September 23, 2025 | 15:26 IST