R.Kirubha v. The Secretary to Government

ORDER These Writ Petitions are filed to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the second and third respondents to approve the appointment of the petitioner as Assistant professor in Chemistry, Mathematics, Chemistry, Tamil, Economics and History in the 4th respondent college and to sanction and disburse the grant in aid to the petitioner towards her salary and all other attendant benefits w.e.f.28.04.2023.

¶2When the matter was taken up for hearing, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 3 filed a common counter affidavit, indicating that upon perusal of the proposal, procedural lapses and violations have been noted. The counter affidavit enumerates details of the lapses / violations which are as follows: " 1. That the post has been filled up without obtaining any financial related approval as per Rule 11(1) of the Tamil Nadu Private Colleges (Regulation) Rules, 1976.

¶2That Form -7A was not sent to the second respondent Commissioner / Director on 28.04.2023 as per Rule. 11(2) of the Tamil Nadu Private Colleges (Regulation) Rules, 1976;

¶3The details of the candidates applied through newpapers notification for the above said post was not furnished;

¶4That details of the list of candidates appeared for interview and the statement of marks given by the selection committee was not enclosed.

¶5That the university appointed subject expert in the selection committee was not available as prescribed by the University Grants Commission."

¶3As regards to the first violation that has been noted above, relating to the financial approval as per Rule 11(1)(A) of the Tamil Nadu Private Colleges Regulations Act, 1976, the said issue is already covered by the Hon'ble Division Bench Judgement of this Court reported in 2013(7) MLJ 641 in the case of P.Ravichandran Vs. State of Tamil Nadu, represented by Secretary to Government, Department of Higher Education, Chennai and others. It has been categorically held that in respect of the minority institutions, private aided college management, the Director of Collegiate Education cannot insist to get prior permission to fill up vacant posts in the sanctioned posts. Therefore, the said violation cannot be put against the petitioner.

¶4As regards, the non submission of Form-7A, a learned Single Judge of this Court in W.P(MD)Nos.4636 and 4640 of 2021 dated

30.06.2022, had held that in view of exclusion of minority colleges from the purview of Section 11 of the Tamil Nadu Private Colleges (Regulation) Act, 1976 and Rules, the requirement of Form-7A in respect of Minority institutions cannot be insisted upon. Hence, the violation complained is also not well-founded.

¶5As regards, the procedural lapses, mentioned in Sl.Nos.3 and 4, it is not the case of the respondent that there has been a violation of procedure. It is also to be further noted that there has been no complaint received from any other candidate who has participated in the selection process alleging irregularities. Therefore, there is no necessity to insist upon such details. It is the claim of the respondent department that the university appointed subject expert in the selection committee was not available as prescribed under University Grants Commission.

¶6In that context, it is to be noted that the fifth respondent university had granted approval of the educational qualification of the respective petitioners. In such view of the matter, the claim of the respondent that there has been no committee constituted under the University Grants Commission guidelines would also have to follow.

¶7In view of the aforesaid reasons, this Court is of the view that the reasons that have been attributed by the respondents to reject the claim of the petitioner cannot be upheld.

¶8In this view of the matter, the writ petitions are allowed. There shall be a direction to the third respondent to process the approval of the appointment of the petitioners as Assistant Professor in the respective fields in the fourth respondent college and grant approval and disburse the grant in aid in the petitioner's salary and all other attendant benefits with effect from the date of their initial appointment. No costs.

17.11.2025 NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no Internet : yes / no pnn To

¶1The Secretary to Government, Department of Higher Education, St.George Fort, Chennai.

¶2The Director of College Education, D.P.I.Compound, College Road, Chennai.

¶3The Regional Director of College Education, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli.

¶4The Registrar, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooK.KUMARESHoBABU,oJ ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooopnn oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooORDER oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooIN oooooooooooooooooooooooooWP(MD).oNos.24558otoo24563oofo2025 ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooDateoo:o17/11/2025

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 17/11/2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.KUMARESH BABU R.Kirubha ... Petitioner in WP(MD)No.24558 of 2025 M.Shanthi ... Petitioner in WP(MD)No.24559 of 2025 I.Merlin ... Petitioner in WP(MD)No.24560 of 2025 C.Valarmathi ... Petitioner in WP(MD)No.24561 of 2025 Golda Grace Duraisingh ... Petitioner in WP(MD)No.24562 of 2025 D.Merlin Suganthi ... Petitioner in WP(MD)No.24563 of 2025 Vs 1. The Secretary to Government, Department of Higher Education, St.George Fort, Chennai. 2. The Director of College Education, D.P.I.Compound, College Road, Chennai. 3. The Regional Director of College Education, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli. 4. The Correspondent, Sarah Tucker College, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District. 5. The Registrar, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli. ... Respondents COMMON PRAYER :- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ or Order or direction in the nature of Writ, directing the 2nd and 3rd respondents to approve the appointment of the petitioners as Assistant professor in Chemistry, Mathematics, Chemistry, Tamil, Economics and History in the 4th respondent college and to sanction and disburse the grant in aid to the petitioner towards her salary and all other attendant benefits w.e.f.28.04.2023. For Petitioner : Mr. S.Chella Pandian, Advocate. For Respondents : Mr.N.Satheesh Kumar for R1 to R3 Additional Government Pleader Mr.Mahaboob Athiff for R5