Kochi: The High Court on Thursday asked the management to award compensation of Rs 50 lakh to John Kuriakose sacked principal of St Mary's within three months.
A full bench of the high court comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice A M Shaffique and Justice A Jayashankar Nambiar criticised the college management after John Kuriakose challenged his termination. John Kuriakose who moved the court through lawyer later ppted to appear in person.
John was appointed as the Principal of the St Mary's College Mannarkkad in July 2000 and was suspended on September 3, 2003 on charges that he raised money from the students for a project. He was later terminated and transferred as the Principal of Mar Athanasius Kothamangalam.
John contended that he was never placed on deputation rather he was directly appointed as Principal at Mar Athanasius Kothamangalam. "The petitioners appointment not being on deputation treatment of appointment as deputation is wholly without jurisdiction and beyond the power of management.
"The management could have taken disciplinary action in accordance with the Mahatma Gandhi University Rules 1985 and could not in any other manner terminate the employment of the petitioner." the court said.
The court however observed that selection of teachers and principal of minority institutions which is receiving aid from the government and affiliated to the university has to be regulated according to norms.
