Madras High CourtWP(MD)/16792/2019dismissed

P.Rajam v. The University Grant Commission

2025-10-31Honourable Mr. Justice C.Kumarappan8 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 31.10.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN WP(MD)No.16792 of 2019 & W.M.P(MD)Nos.13906, 13394 & 13395 of 2019

1. P.Rajam ... Petitioner - Vs. -

1. The University Grant Commission, Bahadhurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.

2. The Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-9.

3. The Director, Directorate of Collegiate Education, Evk Sampath Building, 9th and 10th Floor, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

4. The Vice Chancellor, Madurai Kamarajarar University, Palkalai Nagar, Madurai.

5. The Registrar, Madurai Kamarajar University, Palkalai Nagar, Madurai.

6. The Dean, College Development Council, Madurai Kamarajar University, Palkalai Nagar, Madurai.

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7. The Joint Director, Collegiate Education, Sellur, Madurai.

8. The Secretary, Rep by College Governing Council, Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College (Autonomous), Linguistic Minority Institution, Pasumalai, Madurai.

9. M.Vijayaraghavan, Secretary, Rep by College Governing Council, Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College (Autonomous) Linguistic Minority Institution, Pasumalai, Madurai.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus forbearing the 8th Respondent college from selecting and appointing the candidates to the post of Assistant Professors by obtaining bribe and consequently directing the official Respondents No.1 to 7 to conduct the selection process in the 8th respondent College in accordance with University Grant Commission (UGC) Regulations of Tamil Nadu Higher Education Rules by forming subject experts committee from the reputed University and colleges based on the petitioner's representations dated 24.07.2019, 25.07.2019.

For Petitioner : Ms.R.Shunmugapriya for Mr.M.Saravanakumar For Respondents : Mr.V.Maharajan, Standing counsel for R1 Mr.M.Sarangan, Additional Government Pleader for R2, R3, R7 2/8

Mr.T.Sakthi Kumaran for R4 & R5 Mr.G.Prabhu Rajadurai for R8 & R9

ORDER

The present writ petition has been filed to issue a writ of mandamus directing the 8th respondent College to conduct interview in accordance with UCG Regulations.

2. The prime contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner is that the 8th respondent College by playing corrupt practice is attempting to fill up the post.

3. On earlier occasion, this Court, vide order dated 29.07.2019, directed the fifth respondent namely, the University to constitute a Committee and enquire into the petitioner's allegations. The relevant portion of the order is extracted as under.

"The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the 8th respondent management is receiving an amount of Rs.50 lakhs as bribe for each Assistant Professor post and in the affidavit, the petitioner has named the candidates, who have already been selected by the 8th respondent before the interview to the post of Assistant Professors in the departments of Chemistry, Commerce, Business 3/8

Administration and Tamil.

2.The aforesaid serious allegation made by the learned counsel for the petitioner is strongly refuted by Mr.Srinivasagam, learned counsel for the respondents 8 and 9 stating that the aforesaid allegation is false and only to defame the name of the College, such an allegation has been made. Further, the learned counsel submitted that no material has been placed before this Court for making such serious allegation against the College.

3.In response to the said statement of the learned counsel for the respondents 8 and 9, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in the event of the allegations made by the petitioner are found to be incorrect, the petitioner is ready to pay the cost to be imposed by this Court. 4.Mr.T.Sakthikumaran, learned counsel for the respondents 4 and 5, on instructions, would submit that based on the complaint received from the petitioner, the fifth respondent agreed to constitute a committee to enquire into the serious allegation made against the College and submit a report before this Court within a period of one week. 5.In the light of the aforesaid submissions made on either side, there shall be an order of interim direction, directing the fifth respondent to constitute a committee and enquire into the petitioner's allegation made against the College and submit a report before this Court within a period of one week.

6.Post the matter after one week. In the meantime, the 8th respondent college shall go on with the interview, but not to 4/8

issue final selection orders. Further the entire interview to be conducted by the 8th respondent shall be videographed and the same shall be placed before the Committee. 7.Mr.Aayiram K.Selvakumar, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents 2, 3 and 7. The petitioner is permitted to take private notice to the first respondent."

4. Thereafter, the enquiry committee has submitted its report before this Court and the findings of the enquiry Committee is as follows: "Based on the enquiry conducted, the written statements obtained from the candidates called for interview and listed in the petition and in the absence of any proof for the allegations made by the petitioner, the Committee unanimously viewed that the allegations are false and Management has not obtained any bribe to the best of out knowledge."

5. Based on the above findings, this Court, vide order dated 06.08.2019 has vacated the interim order dated 29.07.2019.

6. Today, when this matter is taken up for hearing, the learned counsel appearing for the 8th respondent College would submit that they have already appointed five persons namely Dr.K.Balasathya, Dr.R.Kajapriya, Dr.Niranjani, Dr.N.Lakshmi Kruthika and Dr.P.Thirugnanasammandam vide 5/8

appointment order dated 07.08.2019 and that their appointments have also been approved by the fifth respondent. Therefore, nothing survives in the present writ petition.

7. This Court is also of the firm view that in view of the subsequent developments, nothing survives in the present writ petition. Hence, the present Writ Petition is dismissed. However, the petitioner is given liberty to challenge the appointment orders, if so advised. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. 31.10.2025 Index : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No Internet :Yes mbi To

1. The University Grant Commission, Bahadhurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.

2. The Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-9.

3. The Director, Directorate of Collegiate Education, Evk Sampath Building, 9th and 10th Floor, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

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4. The Dean, College Development Council, Madurai Kamarajar University, Palkalai Nagar, Madurai.

5. The Joint Director, Collegiate Education, Sellur, Madurai.

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C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

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