JUDGMENT

JASWANT SINGH, J.:—This appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment and other dated March 31, 1975, of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court dismissing the Writ Petition No. 405 of 1974 filed by the appellant challenging the recommendation made by a Selection Committee of the Lucknow University (hereinafter referred to as the University) for appointment of respondent No. 8 as Professor of Anthropology in the Faculty of Arts of the University.

2. The facts giving rise to this appeal are : Towards the end of the year 1973, the University put up an advertisement inviting applications from candidates possessing the following qualifications to fill up a vacant post of Professor of Anthropology:-

"Essential : First or high second class Masters degree and Doctorate in the subject concerned with a good academic record, experience of teaching post-graduate classes for not less than 7 years and/or having conducted and successfully guided research work of 7 years in recognised institution and having published work of high standard in the subject concerned.

Preferential : High academic distinction."

3. The appellant and respondent No. 8 were the only two candidates who applied for the post in response to the advertisement. Their respective qualifications are as set out hereunder :-

S. No. Name Age Qualification & Experience

1. Dr. G. Sarana, Head of the Deptt. of Anthropology, Karnatak University, Dharwar. 38 years H. S. (U. P. Bd) 1949-1 Div; Inter (B. H. U.) 1951-1 Div; B. A. (L. U.) 1953-1 Div: M. A. (L. U.) 1955-I Div; Ph. D. (Harward (U)) 1966 Published 28 research papers and 3 books.

Worked as :-

(1) Temp. Lecturer in Anthropology L. U. July, 1955 - April 1962

(2) Lecturer in Anthropology - Punjab U - April-Aug., 1962.

(3) Visiting Lecturer - Univ. of California at Santa Barbara - July 1965 - June 1966.

(4) Karnatak University (September 1966 upto date) as Reader and since 27 June 1970 - as Professor.

2. Dr. K. S. Mathur, Reader and Head of the Deptt. of Anthropology, Lucknow University 44 years H.S. (U.P. Bd) 1944 - 1 Divn.

Inter (U.P. Ed) 1946 - I Divn.

B. Com (L.U.) 1948 - II Divn.

M. A. (L.U.) 1950 - I Divn.

Ph.D. (Australian National U.) - 1960. Published several research papers.

Worked as :-

(1) Lecturer in Anthropology - L. U. - 1951-64.

(2) Reader in Anthropology - L. U. - 1964 - continuing

(3) Sociologist - National Council of Appl. Economic Research, New Delhi March, September, 1960.

4. On February 27, 1974, a Selection Committee consisting of Shri A. K. K. Mustafi, Vice- Chancellor of the University, Dr. K. N. Shukla, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Professor & Head of the Department of Hindi of the University, and three experts viz., Dr. S. C. Dube, Dr. S. R. K. Chopra and Dr. T. B. Nayak, respondents 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively met to interview the candidates and to make their recommendation to the Executive Council of the University. After interviewing the aforesaid two candidates, the Selection Committee resolved to recommend respondent No. 8 herein for appointment to the aforesaid post of Professor of Anthropology.

5. On coming to know of the recommendation, the appellant filed the aforesaid petition under Art. 226 of the Constitution challenging the recommendation mainly on the ground that two out of the aforesaid three experts viz., Dr. S. C. Dube and against him in favour of respondent No. 8. It was alleged by the appellant that the respondent had close relations with the aforesaid two experts as he was instrumental in obtaining many remunerative assignments for them. It was further averred by the appellant that whenever Dr. Dube visited Lucknow, he stayed with respondent No. 8. It was also averred by the appellant that Dr. Chopra had strained relations with him on account of straight election contest between him and the latter for the office of the President of Anthropology Section of the Indian Science Congress for 1974. The appellant further averred that in 1968 when he was serving in the Pu