P.K. Misra, J.

The dispute relates to the question of appointment to the post of Principal in Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, hereinafter referred to as "the Institute" in brief.

2. The two combatants in the on going legal battle are Mr. Sibi Madan Gabriel, petitioner in the Writ Petition No.36307 of 2004 and Mr.N. Ramesh, the Respondent No.4 in such writ petition. The post of the Principal in such Institute, which was lying vacant for a considerable length of time, was filled up by the appointment of fourth respondent as per order dated 12. 2004. Such appointment is being challenged in the writ petition.

3. The factual background is as follows: -

For convenience, the parties are described in the manner they have been arrayed in W.P.No.36307 of 2004.

The petitioner was appointed temporarily as Lecturer in Acting in the Institute by order dated 25. 1982 and his service was regularised retrospectively with effect from the date of joining as per order dated 20.2.1992. The petitioner was subsequently promoted as Head of Section by G.O.Ms.No.236 dated 18. 1993. During the year 2000, the fourth respondent was placed in additional charge to the post of the Princ