CMRL pay-off case: Keralam begins examining ED report seeking case against Pinarayi Vijayan, kin

The Kannur University Syndicate has removed Registrar Joby K. Joseph amid efforts to alter the university's stance before the Supreme Court in the Priya Varghese case. Ms. Varghese, the wife of CPI(M) Kannur district secretary K.K. Ragesh, is seeking the position of Associate Professor. The decision to replace the registrar was placed on the Syndicate's agenda as a special item.

Finance Officer Sunil Kumar S. has been appointed to handle the duties of the Registrar until a permanent replacement is found. Mr. Joseph had previously submitted affidavits to the Kerala High Court defending Ms. Varghese' appointment. The university was also represented by counsel K.R. Subhash Chandran before the Supreme Court.

However, the Syndicate formally replaced Mr. Joseph with P.S. Zulfikar Ali, signaling a shift in their position in the case. This move comes after the UDF government took a stance opposing Ms. Varghese' appointment. The university now intends to present a different position before the Supreme Court, arguing that Ms. Varghese lacked the necessary teaching experience and qualifications, and that the appointment process was not transparent.

With a new counsel, the university is also initiating the process of submitting fresh opposition to the apex court. The decision to remove Mr. Jose has been criticized as a unilateral move by the Syndicate, which currently lacks Left representatives. The matter is now set for further hearing on September 23.