Kerala HC Sets Aside Single-Judge Order Against Appointment PS of CM’s Wife

The Kerala High Court on Thursday set aside its single judge order against the proposed appointment of Priya Varghese, the wife of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s private secretary, as an associate professor of Malayalam at Kannur University.

A division bench comprising Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Mohammed Nias C P responded to a petition filed by Varghese, challenging the previous year’s ruling by Justice Devan Ramachandran’s bench.

The earlier order had called for a competent authority to review Varghese’s qualifications and determine her eligibility for inclusion in the ranked list.

During the hearing of the petition challenging the selection process, the single judge determined that Varghese did not possess the necessary qualifications, particularly teaching experience, to be appointed as an associate professor. Her selection became a cause of tension between the CPI(M)-led LDF government and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who had halted the appointment due to alleged violation of norms and accusations of political favoritism. Khan labeled it a “political” appointment.

Ragesh, a former Rajya Sabha MP, serves as the private secretary to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The University Grants Commission (UGC), which was involved in the case, informed the High Court that Varghese lacked the required qualifications to become an associate professor at the university, and her appointment was in violation of norms. The UGC argued that the study leave she had taken to complete her PhD could not be considered as teaching or research experience.

The Kannur University Syndicate approved Varghese’s appointment in November 2021. However, in a surprising development, Kannur University Vice-Chancellor Gopinath Ravindran was subsequently reappointed for another five years, leading to allegations from the opposition of a quid pro quo arrangement in relation to the selection of Varghese.