Dr. B.Selvaraj v. The Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 11-02-2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI WP No. 27217, 27225, 27227, 27230, 27233, 27237, 27250 46320, 46324, 48931 of 2025 and WMP.Nos.30634, 30637, 30592, 30593, 30595, 30597, 30602, 30603, 30607, 30608, 30611, 30613, 30576, 30577, 51683, 51684, 51679, 51680, 54655, 54657 of 2025 Dr. B.Selvaraj Dr.P.Thamizhiniyan Dr.M.C.Raja Dr.K.Thamizhselvan Dr.A.S.Kannan Dr.M.Rajaseshekaran Dr.T.Sudha Dr.K.Balasubramanian Dr.S.Ravi Dr.N.Suresh Petitioner in W.P.No.27217 of 2025 Petitioner in W.P.No.27225 of 2025 Petitioner in W.P.No.27227 of 2025 Petitioner in W.P.No.27230 of 2025 Petitioner in W.P.No.27233 of 2025 Petitioner in W.P.No.27237 of 2025 Petitioner in W.P.No.27250 of 2025 Petitioner in W.P.No.46324 of 2025 Petitioner in W.P.No.46320 of 2025 Petitioner in W.P.No.48931 of 2025 Vs
1. The Secretary Higher Education Department, Secretariat, Chennai 09.
2.The Commissioner Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE) , Convener, V ice Chancellors Committee Annamalai University, 53 Sardar Patel Road, Guindy Chennai 25 3.The Additional Secretary To Government Finance Department of Finance, Member , Vice Chancellors Committee Annamalai University, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai 09.
4.The Member Vice Chancellors Committee, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002.
5.The Annamalai University Rep. By Its Registrar, Annamalai Nagar 608 002 Cuddalore District.
......Sole Respondent in W.P.No.48931 of 2025 Respondent(s) in all W.Ps except W.P.No.48931 of PRAYER in WP.No.27217, 27225, 27227, 27230, 27233, 27237, 27250 of 2025; This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a writ of certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records on the file of the 5th respondent circular No. C-3/ 2025 dated 30.06.2025 and University Order No. 376/ 2025 (C) dated 2.07.2025 quash the same in so far as relates to the petitioner and consequently direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to continue in service till the end of the academic year i.e. on 30.06.2026 on reemployment. PRAYER in WP No. 46324 and 46320 of 2025;
This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a writ of certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records on the file of the 5th respondent circular No. C-3/ 2025 dated 30.06.2025 and University Order No. 557/ 2025 (C) dated 06.10.2025 quash the same in so far as relates to the petitioner and consequently direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to continue in service till the end of the academic year i.e. on 30.06.2026 on re-employment. PRAYER in WP No. 48931 of 2025;
This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a writ of certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of the Respondent University in circular No.c-3/ 2025 dated 30.06.2025 and the consequential impugned order of the respondent University No.Estt/C- C8/ 09770 / 2025 dated 11.11.2025 and quash the same so far as the petitioner is concerned and consequently direct the Respondent herein to continue the petitioner in the post of Associate professor (Zoology Department) till the end of the academic year i.e. 30.06.2026 with all monetary benefits.
For Petitioner(s):
Ms.Dakshayani Reddy for M/s.T.Dharani in all the writ petitions For Respondent(s):
Mr.Godson Swaminathan for M/s.Isaac Chamber for Annamalai University Mr.P.Balathandayutham, SGP RR1 to 3 in all the writ petitions M/s.Issac Chambers For R4 COMMON ORDER The writ petitions have been filed seeking to quash the impugned circular dated 30.06.2025 and University Order No. 557/ 2025 (C) dated 06.10.2025 and consequently direct the respondents to permit the petitioners to continue in service till the end of the academic year i.e. on 30.06.2026 on re-employment.
2. It is the case of the petitioners that the petitioners were appointed as Lecturer in the respondent University and they have retired from service. However, their services were not extended till the academic year. To consider the said request, the petitioners have made representation to the respondents University and the same was rejected vide impugned circular dated 30.06.2025 citing financial crises of the respondent University. Challenging the same, the writ petitions have been filed.
3. The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that without considering the welfare of the students, the respondents University has abruptly discontinued the established practice of re-employment of teaching faculty until the end of the academic year. The impugned circular is arbitrary and violative of the binding regulations issued by the University Grants Commission. Hence, this Court may set aside the impugned circular and allow the writ petitions.
4. Per contra, the learned counsel for the respondents submitted that Annamalai University was taken over by the Government in the year 2013 by way of Annamalai University Act 2013. As on date, the Government has disbursed a sum of Rs.4825.68 Crores for the expenses of the University, including salary and due to financial crisis, the respondent could not pay salary to the staff of the University. Further, there are surplus staff working in the University and there is no need for extending the petitioners' service for the academic year. By way of interim order passed by this Court, the petitioners are still working in the same post after retirement. Hence, this Court may fix a cutoff date to relieve the petitioners from the present post. Till such time, the respondents will be paying salary to the petitioners as per norms.
5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on records.
6. The two aspects have to be borne in mind to decide these petitions.
First of all, there are surplus teaching staff available with the University. Secondly, University is facing final crisis. Even if, the petitioners are relieved from service, the students community would not suffer because, other faculty members would step into the shoes of the petitioners. The Usual practice of extending the services of the retired teachers till the end of the academic year to only benefit of the student community. Since the respondent University has categorically stated that there are plenty of other teachers available, welfare of the students is protected. Therefore, even if the petitioners are relieved from service, there are other teachers who would continue to teach the students.
7. Taking into consideration the above factors, the writ petitions are disposed of with the following directions:
1. The petitioners shall continue in service till 28.02.2026;
2. As undertaken by the respondents University, the petitioners shall be paid their eligible monthly salary till 28.02.2026;
3. The petitioners shall be relieved from duty by the respondent University from afternoon of 28.02.2026; and
4. The respondent University should ensure that replacement teachers are made available from the next working day.
5. There will be no order as to costs.
6. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
11-02-2026
Rli Note: issue order copy on 23.02.2026 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes To 1.The Secretary Higher Education Department, Secretariat Chennai 09 2.The Commissioner Directorate Of Technical Education (dote) , Convener, Vice Chancellors Committee Annamalai University, 53 Sardar Patel Road, Guindy Chennai 25 3.The Additional Secretary To Government Finance Department Of Finance, Member , Vice Chancellors Committee Annamalai University, Secretariat, Fort St.George Chennai 09 4.The Member Vice Chancellors Committee Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002 5.The Annamalai University Rep. By Its Registrar, Annamalai Nagar 608 002 Cuddalore District
M.DHANDAPANI J.
rli WP No. 27217, 27225, 27227, 27230, 27233, 27237, 27250 46320, 46324, 48931 of 2025 11-02-2026