HC sets deadline to settle Ciza Thomas dues
Hyphen Web Desk
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The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to disburse all pending retirement benefits, including pension and gratuity, to Dr Ciza Thomas, former interim Vice-Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, within two weeks.
The court's decision comes after a prolonged legal battle spanning over two years since Dr Thomas's retirement on 31 March 2023.
A division bench comprising Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Johnson John issued the order, criticising the government's delay in processing Dr Thomas's pensionary benefits. The bench questioned the rationale behind withholding her entitlements, especially after the High Court and the Supreme Court had previously quashed disciplinary proceedings initiated against her. The judges remarked that the state's justification for the delay, citing an ongoing inquiry into her liability certificate, was "unheard of" and unacceptable.
Dr Thomas's appointment as interim Vice-Chancellor in November 2022 by then-Chancellor Arif Mohammed Khan had been a point of contention. The state government had recommended the appointment of the Higher Education Department's Principal Secretary, but the Chancellor exercised his authority to appoint Dr Thomas instead. This decision led to friction between the Governor's office and the state government.
On the day of her retirement, the government issued a charge memo against Dr Thomas, alleging that she had assumed the Vice-Chancellor position without proper approval. However, the High Court later quashed the proceedings, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court. Despite these rulings, the government continued to withhold her retirement benefits, prompting Dr Thomas to seek legal recourse.
A division bench comprising Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Johnson John issued the order, criticising the government's delay in processing Dr Thomas's pensionary benefits. The bench questioned the rationale behind withholding her entitlements, especially after the High Court and the Supreme Court had previously quashed disciplinary proceedings initiated against her. The judges remarked that the state's justification for the delay, citing an ongoing inquiry into her liability certificate, was "unheard of" and unacceptable.
Dr Thomas's appointment as interim Vice-Chancellor in November 2022 by then-Chancellor Arif Mohammed Khan had been a point of contention. The state government had recommended the appointment of the Higher Education Department's Principal Secretary, but the Chancellor exercised his authority to appoint Dr Thomas instead. This decision led to friction between the Governor's office and the state government.
On the day of her retirement, the government issued a charge memo against Dr Thomas, alleging that she had assumed the Vice-Chancellor position without proper approval. However, the High Court later quashed the proceedings, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court. Despite these rulings, the government continued to withhold her retirement benefits, prompting Dr Thomas to seek legal recourse.
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