JUDGMENT :

KALYAN RAI SURANA, J.

1. Heard Mr. N. Dutta, learned senior counsel (since deceased) and Mr. D. Das, learned senior counsel, assisted by Mr. S. Deka, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. D. Saikia, learned Advocate General for the State of Assam, assisted by Mr. B. Choudhury, learned counsel for the respondent nos. 1 to 4 and 6 and also heard Mr. P.J. Phukan, learned counsel for respondent no. 5.

2. Challenging the legality and validity of (i) the order dated 13.08.2021 (Annexure-4), by which the petitioner, who was the Vice Chancellor of Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU for short), was suspended and (ii) show-cause notice dated 16.08.2021 (Annexure-5), both issued by the Governor as Chancellor of KKHSOU, the present writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

Brief background facts as projected in the writ petition:

3. Bereft of unnecessary details, the case of the petitioner in brief is that while the petitioner was working as a Professor in the Department of Foreign Language in Gauhati University, the petitioner was appointed as Director of Institute of Distance and Open Learning, Gauhati University (GUIODL