The Registrar v. T. Muthukumar

THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 11.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.SUBRAMANIAN AND THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE K.GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI W.A.Nos.1552, 1558, 1559, 1562, 1565 and 1571 of 2025 and C.M.P.Nos.11826, 11832, 11836, 11839, 11853 and 11861 of 2025 The Registrar, ...Appellant in all the W.As Vs.

1.Dr.T.Muthukumar ... 1st Respondent in W.A.1552/2025 1.Dr.J.Angayarkanni ... 1st Respondent in W.A.1558/2025 1.Dr.S.R.Prabagaran ... 1st Respondent in W.A.1559/2025 1.Dr.G.Kumaresan ... 1st Respondent in W.A.1562/2025 1.Dr.R.Porkodi ... 1st Respondent in W.A.1565/2025 1.Dr.P.Ekambaram ... 1st Respondent in W.A.1571/2025 2.The Regional Joint Director, O/o. The Regional Joint Director, Local Fund Audit Department, Coimbatore - 641 001.

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3.The Assistant Director, Local Fund Audit, 4.The University Grant Commission (UGC), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.

...Respondents 2 to 4 in all the W.As

Common Prayer : Writ Appeals filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent, praying to set aside the common order dated 02.02.2024 made in W.P.No.2233, 2260, 2228, 2246, 2240 and 2231 of 2024 and allow these Writ Appeals.

For Appellant : Mr.D.Ravichander, Special Government Pleader in all W.As For Respondents : Mr.N.Kavitha Rameshwar in all W.As ********* C O M M O N J U D G M E N T (Judgment of the Court was delivered by R.SUBRAMANIAN, J.) We do not see any infirmity in the order of the writ Court. The petitioners were granted promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme 2/6

by the University based on its own regulations. It appears that the audit Department of the State Government raised objections to the promotions based on the resolution of the University Grants Commission, which came in later. The audit objections were followed by the University and the promotions were revised.

2. It appears from the records that the audit objections itself were challenged before this Court in W.P.No.15614 of 2022 and this Court by order dated 09.04.2024 had set aside the audit objections. So the basis itself has been effaced and the order impugned in the Writ Petition is only a consequence. If the basis goes the consequence has to necessarily disappear. Moreover, in W.A.No.224 of 2023 a Division Bench of this Court in its order dated 20.10.2023 has held that the Local Fund Audit Department of the Government has no power to sit in appeal over the order of the University granting promotions. In the light of the said Division Bench judgment the learned Single Judge had allowed the Writ Petitions and quashed the order of the University recalling the promotions granted to the petitioners.

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3. We find that the order of the learned Single Judge is in terms of the judgment of the Division Bench of this Court which has become final. Hence, we see no scope for interference. The appeals fail and are accordingly dismissed. Eight (8) weeks time is granted for compliance. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. (R.S.M.,J.) (K.G.T.,J.) dsa 11.06.2025 Index : No Internet : Yes : No Speaking order 4/6

To

1. The Registrar, 2.The Regional Joint Director, O/o. The Regional Joint Director, Local Fund Audit Department, Coimbatore - 641 001.

3.The Assistant Director, Local Fund Audit, 4.The University Grant Commission (UGC), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.

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R.SUBRAMANIAN, J.

and K.GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI , J.

dsa W.A.Nos.1552, 1558, 1559, 1562, 1565 and 1571 of 2025 11.06.2025 6/6