IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 08.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI

And

W.M.P.No.3139 of 2024

S.Arivoli ... Petitioner

Vs.

1 THE STATE OF TAMIL NADU,

REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,

HIGHER EDUCATION (F1) DEPARTMENT,

FORT ST.GEORGE,

SECRETARIAT,

CHENNAI-600 009.

2 THE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGIATE EDUCATION,

DIRECTORATE OF COLLEGIATE EDUCATION,

GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU,

COLLEGE ROAD, CHENNAI-600 006.

3 THE JOINT COMMISSIONER,

(EDUCATION AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS),

HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS

DEPARTMENT,

119, UTHAMAR GANDHI SALAI,

NUNGAMBAKKAM,

CHENNAI-600 034.

4 THE SECRETARY AND CORRESPONDENT,

POOMPUHAR COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS)

OF THE TAMIL NADU H.R AND C.E. ADMN. DEPT.,

MELAIYUR-609 107, SIRKALI TALUK,

MAYILADUTHURAI DISTRICT. ... Respondents

Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of the impugned order issued by the first respondent dated 02.01.2024 in Letter No.1837/F1/2023-2, and quash the same, consequently direct the respondents 1 and 2 to re-appoint the petitioner as Professor in the parent department viz., Thiru.Vi.Ka. Government Arts College, Thiruvarur as per the UGC Regulations 2018 forthwith.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.R.Jothimanian For Respondents : Mr.M.R.Gokul Krishnan for R1 and R2 Additional Government Pleader Mr.S.Ravichandran for R3 and R4 Additional Government Pleader (HR&CE)

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of the impugned order issued by the first respondent dated 02.01.2024 in Letter No.1837/F1/2023-2, and quash the same, consequently direct the respondents 1 and 2 to re-appoint the petitioner as Professor in the parent department viz., Thiru.Vi.Ka. Government Arts College, Thiruvarur as per the UGC Regulations 2018 forthwith.

2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was appointed as Lecturer in the Chemistry Department on 06.10.1998 and was posted at the Government Thirumagal Mills College, Gudiyatham, Vellore and was subsequently posted as Senior Lecturer at M.R.Government Arts College, Mannargudi and as Reader at H.H. The Raja’s Government College (Autonomous), Pudukottai and was subsequently transferred to Thiru.Vi.Ka. Government Arts College, Thiruvarur and worked as Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry from July 2010 till 10.07.2018.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that on 07.05.2018, the fourth respondent called for applications from eligible Associate Professors for direct recruitment to the post of Principal and the petitioner applied for the said post and vide order dated 31.05.2018, the petitioner was appointed as the Principal of the fourth respondent College and the tenure of appointment was fixed as 5 years as per UGC Regulations, 2018. The first respondent passed G.O.(D) No.220, Higher Education Department dated 06.07.2018 accepting the proposal of the second respondent to grant permission to work as Principal at the fourth respondent College on lien basis for a period of one year from the date of relief from Thiru.Vi.Ka. Government Arts College.

4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that the petitioner joined as Principal in the fourth respondent College on 11.07.2018. Thereafter, the fourth respondent obtained necessary statutory approval from the second respondent for continuing and absorbing the petitioner as Principal, along with the release of grants – in – aid and the second respondent also vide proceedings dated 26.08.2020, approved the petitioner’s foreign service as Principal in the fourth respondent College. Whileso, the fourth respondent issued relieving order dated 22.02.2023 relieving the petitioner from the post of Principal without any notice.

5.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that the petitioner served as Professor in T