SC criticises Kerala Governor for not reviewing former judge’s report on VC appointments
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday criticised Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar for failing to examine a report prepared by former Supreme Court judge Sudhanshu Dhulia on the pending appointment of regular vice chancellors to two state universities.
A bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan said the document, sent by the Chief Minister to the Governor in his capacity as Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the University of Digital Sciences Innovation and Technology, was “not just an ordinary piece of paper” and should have been reviewed promptly.
The court questioned why the report had not even been looked at, despite the Chancellor having received the committee’s findings. Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for the state, informed that no action had been taken so far.
The dispute has been ongoing between the state government and the Governor over filling key academic posts. In August, the Supreme Court had appointed Justice Dhulia to head a search-cum-selection committee after finding the regular appointment process had broken down. As directed, shortlisted candidates were to be forwarded to the Chief Minister, who would then send the preference list to the Chancellor.
The conflict escalated in September when the Governor sought a modification of the Supreme Court’s directions, arguing that university laws and UGC rules did not provide any role for the Chief Minister in selecting vice chancellors.
The bench noted that the process had been carried out with consent from all sides and criticised the explanation that certain related documents had not reached the Raj Bhavan. The judges insisted that the Chancellor must act on the recommendations without delay.
When the Governor’s counsel attempted to present further arguments, the bench emphasised the importance of the report. “A former judge of the Supreme Court has looked into it. So you are to look into the report and take an appropriate call,” Justice Pardiwala said.
The Supreme Court will review the Chancellor’s action on the matter on December 5.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
