IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 27.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN

and W.M.P.Nos.9974 & 10119 of 2025

Dr.N.Geetha ...Petitioner in W.P.

No.8880 of 2025

Dr.S.Kothaninayaki ...Petitioner in W.P.

No.9009 of 2025

-Vs-

1. The Registrar, Anna University,

Chennai – 600 025.

2. State of Tamil Nadu,

Rep. by its Secretary,

Department of Higher Education,

Secretariat, Fort St. George,

Chennai – 600 009.

3. All India Council for Technical Education,

Rep. by its Chairman,

Nelson Mandela Marg,

Vasant Kunj,

New Delhi – 110 070.

4. University Grant Commission (UGC),

Rep. by its Chairman,

Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,

New Delhi – 110 002. ... Respondents in

both W.Ps.

Prayer in W.P.No.8880 of 2025: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 & 2 to grant promotion to the petitioner as Assistant University Librarian Grade I (Stage 2 to 3) (Selection Grade) w.e.f., 04.12.2011 and as Deputy Librarian (Stage 3 to 4) w.e.f., 04.12.2014 and as University Librarian (Stage 4 to 5) w.e.f., 04.12.2017 as per the AICTE Regulations 2012 and UGC Regulations 2018 with all service and monetary benefits with effect from the respective dates of promotion.

Prayer in W.P.No.9009 of 2025: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 & 2 to grant promotion to the petitioner as Assistant University Librarian Grade I (Stage 3) (Selection Grade) w.e.f., 14.05.2015 and as Deputy Librarian (Stage 4) w.e.f., 14.05.2018 and as University Librarian (Stage 5) w.e.f., 14.05.2021 as per the AICTE Regulations 2012 and UGC Regulations 2018 with all service and monetary benefits with effect from the respective dates of promotion.

In both W.Ps.

For Petitioner : Mrs.Kavitha Rameshwar For Respondents For R1 : Mrs.V.Srimathi, Standing Counsel.

For R2 : Mr.M.R.Gokul krishnan Additional Government Pleader For R3 & R4 : Mr.R.Rabu Manohar Special Panel Counsel

COMMON ORDER

These Writ Petitions have been filed for direction directing the respondents to grant promotion to the petitioners as Assistant University Librarian Grade I and as Deputy Librarian and also as University Librarian, as per the AICTE Regulations 2012 and UGC Regulations 2018.

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials placed before this Court.

3. The similar matter has already been dealt with by this Court in W.P.No.5701 of 2023, by an order dated 27.03.2024, and the relevant portion is extracted hereunder :-

“7. Further the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in the judgment dated 20.10.2023 passed in W.A.No.224 of 2023 etc., batch in the case of Dr.R.Prabhakaran Vs. The Registrar, Bharathiar University and ors., held that even if the State government is a body that funds the university, the State government cannot under the guise of auditing the accounts of the university, interfere with the internal administration of the university, which power of the university includes the power to make appointments as well as further promotions. Therefore, the third respondent completely ignored the factual background as well as the circumstances in which the petitioner claims to be appointed as Assistant Professors in the respondent university under the UGC plan and more importantly, that it was beyond their power as well as jurisdiction under the Tamil Nadu Local Fund Audit Act, 2014 as well as under the Bharathiar University Act, 1981, to have raised objections with regard to the validity of the appointments made under the UGC XI Plan. Further the UGC regulations of the year 2018 have also been adopted by the Government in G.O.Ms.No.5 Higher Education Department, dated 11.01.2021, wherein it has be reiterated the requirement of orientation and refresher course for promotion due under the CAS shall not be mandatory upto 31.12.2018. Hence, the impugned proceedings shall not be sustained and liable to be quashed.”

4.