KTU VC Ciza removed from DTE post in Kerala

T'PURAM: In a seemingly retaliatory move, the state government on Monday removed KTU vice-chancellor Ciza Thomas from her position as senior joint director of the technical education directorate. In her place, former KTU VC M S Rajasree has been appointed.
Ciza was appointed vice-chancellor on an ad-hoc basis by governor and chancellor Arif Mohammed Khan even as the government opposed her selection. Rajasree was removed from her position as vice-chancellor in October, when the Supreme Court declared her appointment to be void ab initio, citing violation of UGC regulations.
The government order said the decision was based on a request from Rajasree to return to service
The higher education department appointed ex-VC of KTU MS Rajasree as senior joint director of Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) on Monday. She replaces Ciza Thomas, who is currently holding the charge as VC of the technological university.
A government order in this regard said the decision to replace Thomas with the former KTU VC was based on a formal request by Rajasree (dated Dec 20, 2022) seeking permission to return in service. The further posting of Thomas will be issued later, said the order.
Thomas was appointed as KTU VC on ad hoc basis by governor AM Khan in his capacity as the university chancellor even as the government opposed her selection.
Rajasree was removed as KTU's VC in October last year when Supreme Court declared her appointment as void ab initio citing violation of UGC regulations in her selection. The apex court held that the constitution of a search-cum-selection committee that chose Rajasree as VC was not as per UGC regulations. Also, the panel recommended a single name while UGC rules require the committee to prepare a panel of candidates to be considered for the post.