Balamurugan v. The Registar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16-12-2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI K.Balamurugan ..Petitioner Vs The Registrar, Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai 600 025.

..Respondent Prayer : Writ Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondent to forthwith appoint the petitioner as a Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering as against existing vacancy in any of its constituent colleges with all attendant benefits, including the pay scale of a regularly appointed Assistant Professor from the date of the appointment.

For Petitioner :

Mr.A.Mohan For Respondent :

Mr.U.Baranidharan Additional Government Pleader __________Page 1 of 5

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondent to forthwith appoint the petitioner as Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering as against existing vacancy in any of its constituent Colleges with all attendant benefits including the pay scale of a regularly appointed Assistant Professor from the date of the appointment.

2. The petitioner was initially appointed as a Teaching Fellow at the University VOC College, Thoothukudi. His contract was periodically renewed. However, during the year 2019, he could not attend duty due to COVID-19 and therefore, there was break in service.

3. Upon knowing that there are vacancies for Teaching Fellows across the respondent's constituent colleges, the petitioner sent a detailed representation to the respondent on 19.08.2024 seeking for redeployment of his services. Since the same was not considered, he raised an RTI application seeking the response of the respondent and he was informed by a communication dated 06.01.2025 that vacancies for teaching posts shall be created only for regular positions and no vacancies will be created for the position of Teaching Fellows. __________Page 2 of 5

4. The petitioner relies upon a batch of writ petitions filed by similarly placed persons in WP (MD) No.24819 of 2018 etc., batch, which travelled upto Supreme Court and an order dated 25.07.2025 was passed in SLP (C).Nos.17339 to 17342 of 2025 etc., wherein, the Supreme Court had directed that the Teaching Fellows shall be regularized notionally and shall be granted the pay of regular Assistant Professor.

5. Hence, the petitioner sent a legal notice dated 14.05.2025 to the respondent seeking response from the respondent with regard to his appointment, which remains unanswered till date. Hence the present writ petition.

6. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that it would suffice, if the respondent is directed to consider the representation of the petitioner, dated 19.08.2024 and dispose of the same, on merits and in accordance with law, within a specified period.

7. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondent has no serious objection for such an order being passed by this Court.

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8. Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the matter, directs the respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner, dated 19.08.2025 and pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

9. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

16-12-2025 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order ssb To The Registrar Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai 600 025.

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M.DHANDAPANI, J.

ssb 16-12-2025 __________Page 5 of 5