V. Ramasubramanian, J.

1. These Writ Petitions are for the issue of a Writ of Quo Warranto to direct the person (who is arrayed as the fourth respondent in the first writ petition in W.P(MD)No.11350 of 2012 and the second respondent in the second writ petition in W.P(MD)No.3318 of 2013) holding the office of Vice Chancellor in the Madurai Kamaraj University, to show cause under what authority she continues to hold the office of the Vice Chancellor of the University.

2. We have heard M/s. T.Lajapathi Roy and G.R.Swaminathan, learned counsel for the petitioners, Mr.A.L.Somayaji, learned Advocate General appearing for the State, Mr.T.R.Rajagopalan, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the incumbent holding the post of Vice Chancellor, Mr.Isaac Mohanlal, learned counsel appearing for the University and Mr.Y.Krishnan, learned counsel for the impleaded party.

3. When the post of Vice Chancellor of the Madurai Kamaraj University fell vacant in 20112012, the Government constituted a Search Committee to appoint a suitable candidate. The names of 104 persons were considered. The Search Committee appears to have short-listed the names of three persons by name (1) Dr.R.Jayaraman, Pr