D.Dhanasekaran v. The Registrar,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 01.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.No.84 of 2024 D.Dhanasekaran ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Registrar, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Kangalancherry, Thiruvarur - 610 101.

2. Dr.V.Thondaiman Associate Professor, Department of Horiculture, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Kangalancherry, Thiruvarur - 610 101. ....Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the first respondent to cancel the appointment of the second respondent in the post of Associate Professor in Horiculture in the first respondent Institute as the same is in violation of UGC Regulations and the Notification and consequently, appoint the petitioner in the above said post.

For Petitioner :

Mr.C.Vigneswaran For Respondents :

Mr.K.Srinivasamurthy for R1 Mr.S.Arun Mathew for R2

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed to direct the first respondent to cancel the appointment of the second respondent in the post of Associate Professor in Horticulture in the first respondent Institution as the same is in violation of UGC Regulations and the Notification and consequently, appoint the petitioner in the above said post.

2.The petitioner was appointed as Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agriculture in Annamalai University. He also pursued Doctorate in Horticulture and was awarded Ph.D in the year 2010. At present, he has been deputed from Annamalai University to Tamil Nadu Agriculture University for a period of three years. When that being so, the first respondent issued a Notification for appointment to the post of Assistant, Associate and Professor level in the University vide Advertisement No.CUTN/T/03/2022 dated 18.11.2022. Further, on 21.09.2023, a Notification was issued

detailing the number of persons who are shortlisted for the post of Associate Professor (OBC) in the Department of Horticulture. As per the Notification, three persons were shortlisted, namely, petitioner, one Krishnamoorthy and the second respondent. The petitioner possesses the required qualification and obtained more marks than the second respondent to hold the post of Associate Professor. However, the first respondent, without issuing call letter to the petitioner, selected and appointed the second respondent as Associate Professor, which is in violation of UGC Regulations and the Notification issued by the University. Hence, this writ petition has been filed.

3. When the matter is taken up for hearing today, the learned counsel appearing for the first respondent submits that during the pendency of the writ petition, the second respondent has resigned the job from the post of Associate Professor in Horticulture and gone out of the first respondent Institution.

4. In view of the subsequent development, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, grants liberty to the petitioner to make a representation to the first respondent seeking appointment in the said post.

5. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 01.12.2025 NCC: Yes / No Index : Yes / No Speaking Order : Yes / No ssb To The Registrar, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Kangalancherry, Thiruvarur - 610 101.

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

ssb 01.12.2025