M.Muthuvairam v. The Registrar
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 17.02.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P(MD)No.3944 of 2026 and WMP(MD) Nos. 3242 & 3243 of 2026 M.Muthuvairam ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Registrar, Madurai Kamaraj University, Palakalai Nagar, Madurai-625 021.
2.The Convener Committee, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai-625 021.
3.The Principal, Madurai Kamaraj University College, Alagar Kovil Road, Madurai-625 021.
...Respondents
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Declaration, to declare the oral termination passed by the Respondent No.3 on 1/9
02.02.2026 terminating the petitioner from the post of Guest Lecture in Tamil Department under the respondent No.3 college as illegal within the time period stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.G.Karthik For Respondents : Mr.Ragatheesh Kumar Standing Counsel
O R D E R
The petitioner was appointed as a Guest Lecturer(Tamil) in the respondent University in the year 2019, on a consolidated pay He was allowed to work till 01.02.2026. From 02.02.2026, this petitioner was not permitted to enter into the University and he was informed orally that he has been terminated from service. His name was also removed from the Attendance Register. Aggrieved by the conduct of the respondent University, the petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking a writ of declaration, to declare the oral termination passed by the respondent University, dated 02.02.2026, terminating this petitioner from the post of Guest Lecture in Tamil as illegal.
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2.Mr.Ragatheesh Kumar, learned Standing counsel takes notice for the respondent University and submits that this petitioner was engaged as a Guest Lecturer in the respondent University, only for odd semesters of the academic year 2019-2020. The agreement has not been extended, however, he has been retained in service. In this circumstances, certain news were published in the daily newspapers such as, Dinakaran and New Indian Express that there was a scam in revaluation of papers in the University. The news item reads that some of the Professors have received a sum of Rs.5,000 /- to Rs.15,000/- for awarding pass marks to 300 students. Based on this allegation made as against the University, the Vice Chancellor has constituted a High Level Committee on 07.11.2023, for conducting a detailed enquiry as to the above averments.
The High level Committee has submitted its report on 20.11.2024 that some of the staff including the Guest Lecturers have awarded more marks than they actually secured, for the students, who have appeared for BA Tamil. The allegations were made as against three Guest lecturers, four temporary staff and two regular staff.
placed before the Syndicate on 07.11.2025 and the Syndicate has resolved to relieve those employees, who are casual labourers and working on consolidated pay. Since the period of agreement has not been extended for the Guest lecturers, the Syndicate suggested to relieve them immediately and to initiate disciplinary proceedings as against the regular employees. Since the agreement has not been extended for this petitioner and other guest lecturers, in view of the decision taken by the Syndicate, they have not been permitted to work from 02.02.2026.
2.1.The learned counsel further submits that this petitioner was also enquired by the High Level Committee on 24.11.2023 and 03.05.2024 and this petitioner has admitted his guilt and undertook to abide by any condition imposed by the University. According to him, the petitioner has stated that he signed the foiled cards alone at the instance of one Pandian, Office Assistant and marks have been corrected by the said Pandian/ Office Assistant. 4/9
3.This Court considered the rival submissions made and also perused the materials placed on record.
4.The petitioner was engaged as a Guest Lecturer(Tamil) in the respondent University, in the year 2019, as per the Notification and by following proper selection process. Though he was engaged for a period six months on consolidated payment, he was permitted to continue as the guest Lecturer till 01.02.2026 and Attendance Register was also maintained in the University. The petitioner is now relieved on the charges that he has manipulated the answer papers of the students at the time of revaluation. He was not allowed to continue to work, in view of the decision taken by the Syndicate, in its resolution dated 07.11.2025. In fact, the Syndicate has taken the decision, based on the report of the High Level Committee, dated 20.11.2024, wherein, a direction was issued to initiate disciplinary proceedings, by framing charges against the regular employees, those who have involved in such malpractice. Even though this petitioner is a contractual labour, the ground on 5/9
which, the petitioner has been terminated is on the allegation of manipulation of records, which would be a stigmatic allegation and the same would affect his carrier. Therefore, this Court is of the view that the respondent University has to conduct a detailed enquiry. 5.In view of the above, this writ petition is dismissed. There shall be a direction to the respondent University to conduct a detailed enquiry on the allegations, by providing an opportunity to this petitioner and thereafter pass suitable orders. Since this petitioner is engaged only as a Guest Lecturer, he is not entitled for any subsistence allowance. The respondents shall conclude the disciplinary proceedings as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
6.The allegations levelled as against this petitioner and others appears to be very serious in nature and it needs to be addressed by registering a criminal complaint. The respondent 6/9
university is also directed to lodge a criminal complaint as against the concerned persons, who have manipulated the mark statements of the students. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed.
17.02.2026 NCC: Yes/No Index:Yes/No Internet:Yes vrn 7/9
To 1.The Registrar, Madurai Kamaraj University, Palakalai Nagar, Madurai-625 021.
2.The Convener Committee, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai-625 021.
3.The Principal, Madurai Kamaraj University College, Alagar Kovil Road, Madurai-625 021.
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B.PUGALENDHI, J.
vrn Order made in W.P(MD)No.3944 of 2026 and WMP(MD) Nos. 3242 & 3243 of 2026 17.02.2026 9/9