IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 10.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN

and

W.M.P.Nos.36981, 36983, 36985, 37827 & 37829 of 2025

Dr.T.Periasamy ... Petitioner in both

W.Ps.

Vs.

1. The Periyar University,

Rep. By its Vice Chancellor,

Periyar Palkalai Nagar,

Salem – 636 011,

Tamil Nadu.

2. The Registrar,

Periyar University,

Salem – 636 011. ... Respondents in

both W.Ps.

Prayer in W.P.No.32975 of 2025: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for records of the impugned communication issued by the second respondent dated 01.08.2025 vide No.PU/R/R5/Enquiry/48/ 2025-5 & the impugned communication issued by the presiding officer of internal enquiry committee at the behest of the respondents dated 20.08.2025 vide No.PU/R/Esst.R5/Enq./48/2025-27 and quash the same as violative of the principles of natural justice, illegal, invalid, arbitrary and non-est in the eyes of law; and consequently direct the respondents to

furnish all relevant copies of documents and records pertaining to the alleged complaints against the petitioner on the basis of which the alleged internal enquiry committee was constituted.

Prayer in W.P.No.33716 of 2025: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for records of the impugned order passed by the first respondent-Convener, VC Committee dated 29.08.2025 vide Lr.No.PU/VCCC/2002/2025 and quash the same as it was passed in violation the procedures contemplated under the Periyar University Act, 1997, violative of the principles of natural justice, illegal, invalid, arbitrary and non-est in the eyes of law; and consequently direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to resume his work as a Senior Professor in the respondent’s University.

For Petitioner in W.P.No.32975 of 2025: Mr.Nithesh Nataraj For Mr.Anirudh A Sriram For Petitioner in W.P.No.33716 of 2025: Mr.S.R.Rajagopal, Senior Counsel Assisted by Mr.Anirudh A Sriram For Respondents in both W.Ps. : Mr.P.Godson Swaminath For M/s.Isaac Chambers

COMMON ORDER

The Writ Petition in W.P.No.33716 of 2025 has been filed challenging the order of suspension dated 29.08.2025 and the Writ Petition in W.P.No.32975 of 2025 has been issued challenging the notice dated 01.08.2025 issued by the second respondent thereby directing the petitioner to attend the enquiry.

2. The petitioner is working as a Senior Professor in the department of Tamil at the respondent University and he had undertaken various academic and administrative roles in the University including holding membership in the Syndicate and serving as the interim in-charge Vice Chancellor of the University. While being so, the petitioner was served with notice dated 01.08.2025 from the file of the second respondent thereby directing him to attend the enquiry to be held on 21.08.2025. Subsequently, the petitioner was suspended from service on 29.08.2025. Challenging the same, the petitioner filed the present Writ Petitions.

3. The learned Senior Counsel as well as the learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the second respondent has no jurisdiction to issue the notice dated 01.08.2025 and to conduct any enquiry. Further, the second respondent has no jurisdiction to suspend the petitioner. The order of suspension was made with malafide intention. The order of suspension was issued without any allegations and without any complaint grave in nature. On receipt of the enquiry notice, the petitioner submitted his response dated 02.08.2025 stating that the Internal Enquiry Committee was constituted without any substantial or valid reasons and without any prior notice to the petitioner. Further, the enquiry notice was not annexed with any complaint on which the enquiry had to be conducted. Further the petitioner was not furnished with any relevant documents to substantiate the allegations justifying the constitution