IMPORTANT POINT
The appointment of Vice-Chancellors must comply with statutory provisions and UGC regulations, ensuring lawful and independent decision-making by the Chancellor.

JUDGMENT :

Anil K. Narendran, J.

1. These writ appeals filed under Section 5(i) of the Kerala High Court Act, 1958, arise out of the judgment dated 19.05.2025 of the learned Single Judge in W.P.(C)No.42527 of 2024 and that dated 19.05.2025 in W.P.(C)No.42637 of 2024. The appellant in W.A.No.1160 of 2025 is the 1^st respondent in W.P.(C)No.42527 of 2024 and the appellant in W.A.No.1181 of 2025 is the 3^rd respondent in that writ petition. The appellant in W.A.No.1165 of 2025 is the 1^st respondent in W.P.(C)No.42637 of 2024 and the appellant in W.A.No.1180 of 2025 is the 3^rd respondent in that writ petition.

2. W.P.(C)No.42527 of 2024 was filed by the State of Kerala, the 1^st respondent in W.A.Nos.1160 of 2025 and 1181 of 2025, invoking the writ jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of certiorari to quash Ext.P9 notification dated 27.11.2024 issued by the 1^st respondent in that writ petition (the appellant in W.A.No.1160 of 2025), namely, the Chancellor, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, in exercise of the powers conferred by the provisions of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Act, 2015, read with University Grants Commission Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education, 2018. By Ext.P9 notification it was ordered that, pending the appointment of a person as Vice- Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, on regular basis, the 3^rd respondent in W.P.(C)No.42527 of 2024 (the appellant in W.A.No.1180 of 2025), who was working as Professor, Department of Ship Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Vice-Chancellor, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, with immediate effect, until further orders. In W.P.(C)No.42527 of 2024, the petitioner has also sought for a declaration that Ext.P9 notification dated 27.11.2024 issued by the 1^st respondent Chancellor ordering the 3^rd respondent to exercise the powers and functions of the Vice-Chancellor of the 2^nd respondent University is arbitrary, illegal and contrary to the statutory mandate of Section 13(7) of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Act, 2015 and a writ of mandamus commanding the 1^st respondent Chancellor to make appointment to exercise the powers and discharge the functions of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, till a regular Vice-Chancellor takes charge, from the panel forwarded by the State Government as per Ext.P4 letter dated 09.10.2024 to the Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor of Kerala, in accordance with Section 13(7) of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Act, 2015.

2.1. In W.P.(C)No.42527 of 2024, a counter affidavit dated 17.02.2025 has been placed on record on behalf of the 1^st respondent Chancellor, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (the appellant in W.A.No.1160 of 2025), opposing the reliefs sought for, producing therewith Exts.R1A to R1E documents. On behalf of the writ petitioner, a written submission dated 01.04.2025 was placed on record by the learned Special Government Pleader. On behalf of the 1^st respondent Chancellor, an argument note dated 08.04.2025 was placed on record by the learned Standing Counsel for APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University.

2.2. After considering the pleadings and materials on record and also the submissions made at the Bar, the learned Single Judge, by the judgment dated 19.05.2025, disposed of W.P.(C)No.42527 of 2024, with the directions contained in the last paragraph of that judgment, which reads thus:

“A reading of the provisions of sub-section (7) of Section 13 of the 201