IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 05-01-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY WP No.38/2026 Fatima Michael College Of Engineering And Technology Rep. By Its Chairman Dr.M.Stalin Arockiaraj, Senkottai Village, Kalimangalam Panchayat Sivaganga Main Road, Madurai 625020.

..Petitioner(s)

Vs

1. Anna University, Rep. by its Registrar, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai 600025.

2. University Grants Commission, Rep. by its Secretary, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002.

..Respondent(s)

Prayer: The Writ Petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ Of Mandamus, directing the 1st Respondent to scrupulously adhere to Regulation 4.2 of University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and measures for maintenance of Standards in autonomous colleges) Regulation 2023 and forthwith notify the autonomous status granted to the petitioner college in the order of the University Grants Commission in No. F2-10/2023 (AC -Policy)

dated 06.06.2025.

WP.No.41/2026 St.Michael College of Engineering & Technology, Rep. By its Chairman, DR.M.Stalin Arockiaraj, St.Santhiagaper Nager, Kalayarkoil, Sivaganga District – 630551.

..Petitioner(s)

Vs

1. Anna University, Rep. by its Registrar, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai 600025.

2.University Grants Commission, Rep. by its Secretary, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002.

..Respondent(s)

Prayer: The Writ Petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ Of Mandamus, directing the 1st Respondent to scrupulously adhere to Regulation 4.2 of University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and measures for maintenance of Standards in autonomous colleges) Regulation 2023 and forthwith notify the autonomous status granted to the petitioner college in the order of the University Grants Commission in No. F2-10/2023 (AC -Policy)

dated 06.06.2025.

For Petitioner(s) in both the Writ Petitions: Mr.K.Selvaraj For Respondent(s) in both the Writ Petitions: Mr.U.Baranidharan for R1;

Mr.V.Sudha, for R2.

COMMON ORDER

These Writ Petitions are filed with prayers to direct the 1st respondent University to notify the autonomous status granted to the petitioner College by the 2^nd respondent, University Grants Commission, wide order in No. F.2- 10/2023 (AC-Policy) dated 06.06.2025, as per Clause 4.2 of University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and measures for maintenance of standards in autonomous colleges) Regulation 2023.

2.Heard Mr.K.Selvaraj, learned counsel for the petitioners in both the writ petitions.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the legal position on these matters has been settled by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court. The issue was subsequently taken up to the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India by the University, which confirmed the Division Bench's judgment. As per the prevailing regulations, once the 2^nd respondent (UGC) grants autonomous status to the petitioner College, the 1^st respondent University is obligated to notify the same without any discretion.

4.Per contra, Mr.U.Baranidharan, the learned counsel appearing for the 1^st respondent University, would submit that it is true that, in an earlier round of litigation, the concerns raised by the University regarding infrastructural requirements were negatived by this Court, and that decision was confirmed up to the Honourable Supreme Court. However, to verify the current factual situation in this specific matter, the learned counsel requests that a short adjournment be granted, as the matter is listed for admission today, to enable the University to formally place any other potential objections on record by way of a formal counter-affidavit.

5.I have considered the said submission made by the learned counsel for the 1^st respondent University.

6.This specific prayer is consistently being brought before this Court in several matters. Since the issue has already been de