In this original petition, the petitioner is challenging his removal from the service of the Calicut university as “Professor in Library Science” by the 2nd respondent vice Chancellor of Calicut university by Ext.P14 order. This case has a chequered history as revealed from the facts of the case which are not much in dispute except for some minor variations and are as under.

2. The petitioner entered the service of the 1st respondent University as a deputy Librarian on 28.3.1977. He was selected and appointed as University Librarian in 1987. In 1988, the University conducted a selection to the post of Professor in Library Science to which the petitioner and two others namely M/s. Raju M. Mathew and M. Parameswaran applied. Finding the petitioner to be the lone candidate possessing the requisite qualifications, the screening committee rejected the applications of the other two. The minutes of the screening committee was approved by the Syndicate, which constituted a Selection Committee in accordance with the statutes. The Selection committee selected the petitioner for appointment. Challenging the rejection of his application the said Sri. Raju. M. Mathew approached the U