PRIYA VARGHESE UNQUALIFIED AS VARSITY PROF: HC

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ina setback to the Kerala government, the high court on Thursday held that CPI(M) leader KK Ragesh’s wife Priya Varghese was unqualified to become an associate professor in Kannur University. Ragesh is chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s private secretary.

The court directed the varsity to publish a fresh rank list based on the guidelines of the University Grants Commission.

“Varghese was unqualified and did not have requisite teaching experience but was given the first rank flouting all norms,” the court said. Varghese said she will take appropriate action after consulting her lawyers. “The verdict is a slap on the face of the government,” said state Congress chief K Sudhakaran. “The government should revoke many such appointments,” said BJP state chief K Surendran.