JUDGMENT :

(Shaji P. Chaly, J.)

1. The captioned writ petitions are filed by the applicants participated in the selection process to the post of Vice Chancellor in the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) consequent to Exhibit P5 notification issued by the State Government—2nd respondent; challenging the appointment of Dr. K. Riji John as the Vice Chancellor of the said University on various grounds, which would be dealt with hitherto.

2. Since the subject matter in both the writ petitions and the contentions are substantially similar, on agreement, we heard them together and proposed to pass this common judgment.

3. W.P.(C) No. 16457 of 2021 is filed seeking a writ of certiorari to quash Exhibit P4 notification issued by the Principal Secretary to Governor/Chancellor, Governor’s Secretariat, Kerala Raj Bhavan, appointing a Search Cum Selection Committee for recommending a panel of qualified applicants to the post of Vice Chancellor; Exhibit P7 minutes of the Selection Committee meeting for the appointment of Vice Chancellor of the University held on 20.11.2020; Exhibit P9 resolution of the Selection Committee held on 22.01.2021 recommending the name of Dr. K. Ri