S.C. Dharmadhikari, J.

1 These Writ Petitions were to be heard finally at the admission stage and therefore, with consent of parties, we proceed to issue Rule on each of these petitions. With their further consent, we dispose them of finally by this common judgment.

2 These Writ Petitions under Articles 226 of the Constitution of India question the order dated 16.12.2011 passed by the Chancellor of Dr.Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (for short “PDKV”), pursuant to which the appointment of each of the Petitioners either as Senior Research Assistant (for short “SRA”) or Junior Research Assistant (for short “JRA”) stands cancelled.

3 Mr. Manohar, learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of the Petitioners requested us to refer to the facts in Writ Petition No. 238/2012. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to refer to these facts to appreciate the challenge raised.

4 It is common ground that the PDKV is an Agricultural University and therefore, governed by the Maharashtra Agricultural Universities (Krishi Vidyapeeths) Act, 1983 (for short “the said Act”) and the Statutes thereunder. The Respondent No.2 is the Honourable Governor of Maharashtra and the Chancellor