IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Reserved on: 10.09.2025.

Date of pronouncement: 22.09.2025

1. LPA No. 278 of 2021 (O&M)

Dr. Anshu Verma …. Appellant versus Dr. Priya Sareen and others …. Respondents

2. LPA No. 279 of 2021 (O&M)

Dr. Anshu Verma …. Appellant versus Dr. Priya Sareen and others .… Respondents

3. LPA No. 816 of 2021 (O&M)

Panjab University and another …. Appellants versus Dr. Priya Sareen and others …. Respondents

4. LPA No. 921 of 2021 (O&M)

Panjab University and another …. Appellants versus Dr. Priya Sareen and others …. Respondents

5. CWP No. 5043 of 2013 (O&M)

Dr. Anshu …. Petitioner versus Panjab University and another …. Respondents

6. COCP No. 2480 of 2021 (O&M)

Dr. Priya Sareen …. Petitioner versus Vikram Nayyar and others …. Respondents CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHWANI KUMAR MISHRA HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ROHIT KAPOOR Present Mr. D. S. Patwalia, Senior Advocate with Ms. Rishu Bajaj, Advocate, for– Dr. Anshu Verma Appellant in LPA Nos. 278 and 279 of 2021, Petitioner in CWP No. 5043 of 2013 and for respondent -

Dr. Anshu Verma in LPA-816-2021 and 921-2021.

Mr. Subhash Ahuja, Advocate, for – Panjab University Appellant in LPA Nos. 816 and 921 of 2021, Respondent Nos. 2 and 3 in LPA No. 278 and 279 of 2021, Respondent No. 1 in CWP No. 5043 of 2013.

Mr. Amar Vivek Aggarwal, Advocate and Ms. Sanchi Bindra, Advocate, for - Dr. Priya Sareen Petitioner in COCP No. 2480 of 2021, Respondent No. 1 in LPA Nos. 278, 279, 816 and 921 of 2021.

Mr. Arvind Galav, Advocate, for respondent Nos. 5, 6 and 8 in LPA Nos. 278 and 279 of 2021, and for respondent Nos. 2, 4 and 6 in LPA Nos. 816 and 921 of 2021 and respondent no. 2 in CWP No. 5043 of 2013.

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ASHWANI KUMAR MISHRA, J.

1. These four appeals as well as the connected writ petition and contempt petition have been heard together and are being disposed of by a composite judgment.

2. LPA Nos. 278 and 279 of 2021 are filed by Dr. Anshu Verma assailing the judgment of learned Single Judge dated 21.01.2021, passed in two Civil Writ Petition Nos. 18211 and 12216 of 2017 filed by Dr. Priya Sareen. Henceforth, in this judgment Dr. Anshu Verma is referred to as ‘appellant’, while Dr. Priya Sareen is referred to as ‘petitioner’. Two other appeals, namely LPA No. 816 and 921 of 2021 are filed by the Panjab University (hereinafter to be referred as ‘the University’).

3. The petitioner had assailed orders dated 27.10.2016 and 02.08.2017 passed by the University as well as the selection proceedings dated 25.11.2012 recommending the appellant for appointment to the post of Reader in Repertory in Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh (hereinafter to be referred to as the college’). Undisputed facts of this case are that Post of Reader in Repertory in the College was advertised against which the petitioner and the appellant both applied for appointment. A Scrutiny Committee was constituted by the college which in its meeting held on 21.02.2012 found petitioner and the appellant, both ineligible for the said post. The Governing Body of the college, however, took a decision to invite the petitioner and the appellant for interview. The Selection Committee in its proceedings recorded on 25.11.2012 recommended appellant for appointment to the post of Reader in Repertory. The Subject Expert/ University nominee, however, objected to the recommendation of the Selection Committee as in their opinion, the appellant lacked requisite qualification for the post. The recommendation of the Selection Committee required approval of the University. However, even before any approval could be accorded to the recommendation of the Selection Committee dated 25.11.2012, the Secretary of the College, apparently in its individual capacity, proceeded to issue appointment letter to the appellant on 18.02.2013 on the post of Reader in Repertory. The appellant also gave her joining on the same day i.e. on 18.02.2013.

4. The Vice-Chancellor of the University considered the question of grant of approval