M. SUNDAR, J.

We propose to dispose of both the aforesaid writ petitions by this common order as the issues raised are common/similar and the prayers sought overlap, with one limb of the prayer being common to both writ petitions.

2. The pivotal issue in these two writ petitions is appointment of Vice Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University. Both these writ petitions, which have been filed as Public Interest Litigations ('PILs' for brevity), question the appointment of one Dr.P.P.Chellathurai, as Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University. To be noted, in one of the two PILs i.e., W.P.No.14705 of 2017 (filed by one Traffic Dr. Ramaswamy), there is a prayer qua appointment of Vice-Chancellor of Madras University also.

3. It is necessary to set out a thumbnail sketch of facts for better appreciation of our order. We do so under the caption ‘Facts in a nutshell’ infra.

4. FACTS IN A NUTSHELL

4(a) Though the caption is 'facts in a nutshell', as mentioned supra, we shall be setting out only a thumbnail sketch of facts, which according to us, are absolutely essential (sans unnecessary details and particulars) for appreciating this order.

4(b) Madurai Kamaraj University (hereinafter