Anil K. Narendran, J.
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 1st respondent in W.P.(C)No.42527 of
2024 and the appellant in W.A.No.1181 of 2025 is the 3rd
respondent in that writ petition. The appellant in W.A.No.1165 of
2025 is the 1st respondent in W.P.(C)No.42637 of 2024 and the
appellant in W.A.No.1180 of 2025 is the 3rd respondent in that writ
petition.
2. W.P.(C)No.42527 of 2024 was filed by the State of
Kerala, the 1st 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 1st 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
2025:KER:51557
W.A.Nos.1165, 1160, 1181
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 3rd 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 1st respondent
Chancellor ordering the 3rd respondent to exercise the powers and
functions of the Vice-Chancellor of the 2nd 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
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W.A.Nos.1165, 1160, 1181
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.