JUDGMENT

Arup Kumar Goswami, C.J. - Heard Mr. J. Ugranarasimha, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Venkat Challa, learned Asst. Govt. Pleader attached to the office of the learned Advocate General, for respondents 1, 3 & 10 and Mr. D. Prakash Reddy, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. Y. Nagi Reddy - learned counsel for respondent No.7. None appears for the other respondents.

2. This Public Interest Litigation (for short, "PIL") is filed by one Mr. Malireddy Venkata Phaneendra. While filing the Writ Petition, prayer was made to issue a Writ in the nature of Quo Warranto, contending that respondent No.7 is an usurper of public office. Prayer was also made for a declaration that the appointment of respondent No.7 as Vice-Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada (for short, "JNTU"), is void ab initio and to set aside G.O.Ms.No.31 dated 25.10.2018. Subsequently, prayer was altered to one seeking a Writ in the nature of Mandamus, declaring G.O.Ms.No.31 dated 25.10.2018 appointing respondent No.7 as Vice-Chancellor, JNTU, Kakinada, as illegal being in violation of the University Grants Commission (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other A