1. The petitioners, who are students of the respondent-University, undergoing Post Graduate Courses, respectively in Mass Communication and English Literature, have come up with the above writ petition, challenging an order dated 01.11.2013, by which, they were placed under suspension for the even semester of the academic year 2013-14 and an order of the Appellate Authority, namely the Vice-Chancellor dated 19.12.2013, by which, their suspension was revoked subject to their submitting an unconditional apology.

2. I have heard Ms. R. Vaigai, learned counsel for the petitioners, Mr. A.S. Vijayaraghavan, learned counsel for the first Respondent (University Grants Commission) and Mr. R. Krishnamurthy, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the University.

3. On 30.9.2013, the petitioners herein lodged a complaint with (1) the Vice-Chancellor of the University; (2) the Registrar of the University and (3) the Chairperson of the Anti-Ragging Cell, complaining that when they were walking towards the Mother Theresa Mess of the University, at about 8.00 p.m. on 21.9.2013, two students, studying in the Department of Physical Education in the same University passed snide comments about the