'If VC Gets Salary, Student Can't Be Denied Fellowship' : Kerala HC Bars Salary To University VC & Registrar Till Student's Dues Cleared

The Kerala High Court recently came down heavily on the Sankaracharya University for denying fellowship to a research student.

The Court opined that when the Vice-Chancellor of the University is being paid salary regularly, there is no reason for the non–payment of the petitioner's fellowship.

“If the Vice Chancellor of the University is being paid salary regularly, there can be no justification for non-payment of the petitioner's fellowship”, observed Justice D. K. Singh

The instant case was filed by a Ph.D fellow in the Sankaracharya University of Kalady for denying him fellowship amount even after it was sanctioned. The University said that they could not disburse the fellowship to the petitioner due to the financial crunch faced by the University.

Unimpressed by this submission, the Court directed the University to clear the fellowship arrears within a month. The Court added that the salary of the Vice Chancellor and Registrar shall not be paid until the petitioner's dues are paid.

Noting that the Government has sanctioned Rs. 2,62,56,000 to the University, the Court remarked that the financial crisis does not seem justified. The Court observing thus directed the University to pay the arrears regularly to the petitioner.

Counsel for the Petitioner: Advocate Dhanuja M. S.

Counsel for the Respondents: Advocates Dinesh Mathew J. Murikan, Vinod S. Pillai, Mohammed Thayib N. M., Nayana Varghese, Ria Varghese, Jerry Peter

Case No: WP(C) 45444 of 2024

Case Title: Adarsh E. v The Registrar and Others

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 301