1. The petitioner was a Joint Secretary to Government or Kerala, Food Department. On 1st June 1971, while he was so working he was appointed as a member of the Appellate Tribunal constituted under sub-section (1) of S.59 A of the Kerala University Act (shortly stated the Act). S.59 A is as follows:

"59 A Constitution of Appellate Tribunal. (1) The Government shall constitute an Appellate Tribunal for the purposes of this Act.

(2) The Appellate Tribunal shall consist of the following members, namely.

(a) a judicial officer not below the rank of a District Judge nominated by the Chancellor in consultation with the High Court, who shall be the Chairman;

(6) a person who is neither a teacher nor a person connected with the management of a private college to be nominated by the Syndicate from among the members of the Syndicate; and

(c) a person who is or has been an officer of the Government, not below the rank of a Joint Secretary to be nominated by the Government.

(3) The term of office of the Chairman and the other members of the Appellate Tribunal shall be three years from the date of their nomination.

(4) If any vacancy occurs in the office of the Chairman or any other member