Dilip B. Bhosale, J.

1. These writ appeals under Clause 15 of Letters Patent are directed against the common order dated 28-02-2011 passed in W.P.Nos.12563, 15138 and 24732 of 2010. By this order, the writ petitions were allowed, setting aside the selection and appointment of Dr.Sravanthy and Dr.Gowda Rajender, hereinafter referred to as ‘Dr.Gowda’, as Assistant Professors in Zoology in the second respondent-Kakatiya University, Warangal (for short ‘the University’).

2. W.P.Nos.12563 and 24732 of 2010 were filed by Dr. Vinatha Naini, hereinafter referred to as ‘Dr. Vinatha’, and Dr.Damayanthi respectively, challenging the selection and appointment of Dr. Sravanthy to one such post under Open Competition (Woman) category, while W.P.No.15138 of 2010 was filed by Dr. M.Radha Krishna, hereinafter referred to as ‘Dr.R.Krishna’, assailing the selection and appointment of Dr. Gowda to the other post reserved for Backward Classes – Group B category.

3. Dr. Vinatha in W.P.No.12563 of 2010 had challenged the selection and appointment of Dr. Sravanthy on the ground of bias. Dr. Damayanthi in W.P.No.24732 of 2010 sought declaration that the selection and appointment of Dr. Sravanthy is hit by personal bias and in the alternative challenged the constitution of selection committee being illegal and violative of Section 43 of the A.P. Universities Act, 1991 (for short ‘the Act’). She also prayed for holding fresh interviews after constituting new selection committee in accordance with law. Dr. R.Krishna in W.P.No.15138 of 2010 sought declaration that the action of the University in convening 87th meeting of the Executive Council on 30-04-2010, for seeking approval of the selection of Dr. Gowda, was illegal and contrary to Section 18(6) of the Act. He further prayed for setting aside the appointment of Dr.Gowda and an enquiry into the alleged irregularities committed by the University including the Executive Council appointing Dr. Sravanthy and Dr. Gowda and prayed for re-notifying the vacancies.

4. W.A.Nos.234 and 235 of 2011 are preferred by Dr. Sravanthy, while W.A.No.233 of 2011 is preferred by Dr. Gowda arising from the judgment, disposing of W.P.Nos.12563, 24732 of 2010 and W.P.No.15138 of 2010 respectively. W.A.Nos.1553 to 1555 of 2013, preferred by the University, are also against the very same judgment.

5. The University had issued the notification dated 31.12.2009 inviting applications from qualified candidates for appointment to various posts of Assistant Professors, Professors and Associate Professors in different faculties. In these appeals, we are concerned only with two posts of Assistant Professors in Zoology reserved for OC(W) and BC(B) categories. Initially, 25 aspirants had applied for these posts, out of which 22 were found eligible. The selection committee, duly constituted under the provisions of the Act, conducted interviews on 20-04-2010 of the eligible candidates. Out of the 22 eligible candidates, 5 failed to appear before the selection committee. The selection committee interviewed the remaining 17 candidates and finally recommended Dr. Sravanthy and Dr. Gowda for appointment to these posts.

5.1 Thereafter, Executive Council of the University in its meeting held on 30-04-2010 resolved to approve the recommendation, and accordingly appointment orders were issued by the University on 30-04-2010. Dr. Sravanthi and Dr. Gowda joined the duty as Assistant Professors in Zoology on 01-05-2010.

5.2 In this backdrop, Dr. Vinatha, Dr. R.Krishna and Dr. Damayanthi filed writ petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution of India challenging their selection and appointments. Though the grounds of challenge are virtually common in respect of both the candidates, the selection and appointment of Dr. Sravanthy was also challenged on the ground of bias, she being a daughter of Dr. Ch.Sammaiah, the Chairman of the Board of Studies in Zoology Department and member of the Selection Committee, hereinafter referred to as ‘Dr.Sammaiah