Madras High Court Seeks Report From State On Non-Appointment Of Vice-Chancellors In 14 Universities
The petitioner had contended that the third respondent did not possess the required qualification to hold the post of Registrar (i/c).
Justice B. Pugalendhi, Madras High Court, Madurai Bench
The Madras High Court has sought a report from the Principal Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department, on the absence of Vice-Chancellors in almost 14 Universities in Tamil Nadu and directed the Additional Advocate General to obtain instructions on the reasons for not filling up the posts.
The petitioner had contended that the third respondent did not possess the required qualification to hold the post of Registrar (i/c).
A Bench of Justice B. Pugalendhi said, “Though this Court is not inclined to entertain this writ petition, considering the submissions made across the Bar that there have been no Vice-Chancellors in almost 14 Universities for several years, this Court expects a report on this from the first respondent/Secretary to Government. This Court also directs the learned Additional Advocate General to get instructions from the first respondent regarding the reasons for not filling up the posts of Vice-Chancellors and the steps taken by the present administration to fill up the posts.”
The Court passed the order while dealing with a writ petition in the nature of Writ of Quo Warranto against Dr. S. Muthaiah, Registrar (i/c) of Madurai Kamaraj University.
Advocate V.R. Kamalanathan appeared for the Petitioner and Additional Advocate General J.Barathan appeared for the Respondents.
The Senior Counsel appearing for the third respondent University submitted that the third respondent was acting only as a Registrar In-charge on a temporary basis, possessed all the required qualifications and was appointed by a competent authority.
It was further submitted that a notification had been issued for the appointment of a regular Registrar on June 2, 2026, with July 8, 2026 fixed as the last date for submitting applications. Applications had been received and the process of appointing a regular Registrar was underway.
During the course of arguments, the counsel on either side submitted that, in the State of Tamil Nadu, there were no Vice-Chancellors in almost 14 Universities and that most of the Universities were then administered by Registrars In-charge, with all the decisions being taken by the Convenor Committee.
Though the Court was not inclined to entertain this writ petition, it took note of the submissions made across the Bar regarding the absence of Vice-Chancellors in almost 14 Universities for several years.
The Court accordingly expected a report from the first respondent/Secretary to Government on the issue.
The matter has been directed to be posted after three weeks.
Cause Title: A.Velanganni Joseph v. The Principal Secretary to Government & Ors.
Appearance:
Petitioner: Advocates V.R.Kamalanathan for P. Baburaj
Respondents: Additional Advocate General J.Barathan assisted by Special Government Pleader C.Jeganathan, Advocates Isaac Mohan Lal, R.Ragatheeshkumar