Sanskrit University VC appeals against order allowing suspended students to write exams

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The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, has asked the Kerala High Court to set aside the Single Bench order that allowed suspended students of the university to write semester examinations.

VC Ciza Thomas along with the university syndicate challenged the Single Bench order to accept the examination fee from the students and temporarily allow them to sit for the examinations scheduled on November 4.

Meanwhile, the students have filed a contempt of court case against the university, alleging that they are not complying with the Single Bench order directing them to pay the examination fees. They claimed that they were not allowed to enter the university when they went to register for the exams. They further said that the university has not even made an online portal for registration operational.

The students were suspended pending an investigation for allegedly staging a fake cremation of the VC, manhandling people and attempting to damage her vehicle. A commission of inquiry set up by the University Syndicate found the students guilty of the alleged offenses and recommended action.

The students denied the allegations and claimed that their protest was to highlight their 18-point charter of demands, which included appointment of required faculty members and introduction of basic facilities for students across various departments. The students filed a writ petition before the Single Bench challenging the suspension order and seeking a direction to allow them to appear provisionally for the examinations.

The university’s petition stated that the Single Bench essentially allowed the students’ petition as an interim measure. They further argued that the university was not given an opportunity to challenge the Single Bench order.

The petitioners objected that the last deadline for registering for the exam had passed and pointed out that the students did not register for the exam within the stipulated time. Students did not have the required attendance or internal assessment for the exams. The Single Bench was not stayed; therefore, allowing the students to enter the campus would adversely affect the investigative process, the petitioners said.

They also argued that if the students were allowed to appear for the exams, the measures already taken by the university would have to be revised, disrupting the entire process. Furthermore, an order that allowed suspended students to sit for exams while disciplinary proceedings were pending would undermine the university’s authority.

Published – 01 Nov 2026 21:12 IST