JUDGMENT :

R. Subbiah, J.

1. These appeals are filed questioning the correctness of the common order dated 24.04.2019 passed by the learned single Judge in Writ Petition Nos. 27095, 12126, 12127, 12128, 12129, 31076 and 31083 of 2018. By the order dated 24.04.2019, the learned single Judge, while allowing the writ petitions, issued the following directions:-

"85. This being the factum of the lis on hand, this court is inclined to pass the following orders:-

1.(a) In respect of W.P. No. 27095 of 2018, the impugned proceedings of the then Member Secretary of the College Committee of the Pachiyappa's College, Chennai - 600 030, now represented by the fourth respondent in file number R.C. No. A1/682/2010 dated 20.04.2018 and the consequential proceedings in R.C. No.A1/682/2010 dated 09.06.2018 stand quashed.

1.(b) In respect of WP Nos. 12126 to 12129 of 2018, the impugned Circular of the third respondent dated 20.04.2018 in proceedings R.C. Nos. A1/682/2018, A1/683/2018, A1/684/2018 and A1/685/2018 stand quashed.

1.(c) In respect of WP Nos. 31076 and 31083 of 2018, the impugned circular of the third respondent dated 20.04.2018 in proceedings Re Nos. A1/682/2018 and A1/685/2018 stand quashed.

2. The process of selection conducted by the Pachaiyappa's Trust Board through its Selection Committee and College Committee are declared null and void and in violations of the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Private Colleges (Regulations) Rules, 1976 and the University Grants Commission Regulations.

3. The Interim Administrator appointed by the High Court of Madras is directed to conduct a fresh selection for appointments/promotions to the post of Principal for all the Colleges by strictly following the Statutes/Rules and the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations. The process of selection is directed to be concluded as expeditiously as possible and without causing any delay.

4. The Interim Administrator is directed to look into the complaints made by the writ petitioners and other members in respect of corrupt activities in the process of selection and file appropriate complaint before the Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, who in turn, shall probe the issues in relation to the corrupt activities in the process of selection, with reference to the competent Educational authorities and the University and initiate all appropriate actions.

86. With the above directions, all the writ petitions stand allowed. However? there shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed."

2. As against the common order dated 24.04.2019 passed by the learned single Judge in Writ Petition Nos. 27095, 12126, 12127, 12128, 12129, 31076 and 31083 of 2018, these writ appeals have been filed. W.A. Nos. 1584, 1592 and 1594 of 2019 were filed by Dr. N. Shettu, who was arrayed as one of the respondents in some of the writ petitions and was selected to the post of Principal, Pachaiyappas College, as against the order passed in W.P. Nos. 31076, 12126 and 27095 of 2018. Writ Appeal Nos. 2722, 2723 and 2724 of 2019 were filed as against the order passed in W.P. Nos. 12127, 12129 and 12128 of 2019 respectively. The appellants in W.A. Nos. 2722, 2723 and 2724 of 2019 were not' parties to the writ petitions, however, as their selection to the post of Principal of the Constituent Colleges of Pachaiyappa's Trust Board was held to be invalid, they have filed Writ Appeal Nos. 2722, 2723 and 2724 of 2019 after obtaining leave of this Court.

3. The factual matrix of the case, as could be unfolded on perusal of the records, is set out in brief as follows.

4. On 20.04.2018, four notifications were issued by the Pachaiyappa's Trust Board inviting applications for filling up the post of Principal among four out of six colleges administered by it and they are (i) The Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai (ii) Chellammal College for Women, Guindy, Chennai (iii) Pachiyappa's College for Men, Kancheepuram and Pachiyappa's College for Women, Kancheepuram. In r