Madras University losing reputation rapidly, says HC

Lamenting that the University of Madras has lost its reputation, the Madras High Court came down heavily on the varsity officials for this, stating that those who do not maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty should be given capital punishment.

A division bench comprising Justice S Vaidyanathan and Justice AA Nakkiran expressed displeasure while hearing a writ appeal preferred by the university registrar challenging a single judge’s order passed in 2017 directing it to promote S Bhaskar, a technical assistant, to the post of assistant librarian.

During the selection process, P Kaliyappan and S Dhanasekaran were called for the interview in 2013. As his name was left out, Bhaskaran approached the court seeking a direction to promote him and got a favourable verdict in 2017.

The university had filed an appeal in 2020. In a counter affidavit, it said Kaliyappan and Dhanasekaran were selected on the grounds that they have cleared NET before the Bhaskaran, and they belong to the scheduled caste community.

Recording the submission, the bench noted that neither the UGC rules nor the university’s standing rules had stated that assistant librarian is a promotional post. “The Madras University syndicate has no power to pass a resolution to promote a technical staff member to the post of assistant librarian. Advertisements, notification should have been issued before proceeding with the recruitment process,” the judges noted.

The bench added that the promotion of the two staff was done wantonly to satisfy somebody, for which the registrar has to proceed with departmentally.

“But, unfortunately, the previous registrar is said to have retired from service and the registrar has brought disrespect to the university,” the judges added.

The alumni were once very proud to say that they graduated from the university, and considered the degree from there a precious one. But it was losing its reputation rapidly, which was painful to note, the judges said.

The bench also questioned why the university failed to appeal against the single judge’s order.

The judges set aside the single judge’s order dated October 23, 2017, and observed that appropriate disciplinary proceedings should be initiated against the concerned officials of the university for not maintaining absolute integrity and devotion to duty.

The judges noted that the Madras University syndicate has no power to pass a resolution to promote a technical staff member to the post of assistant librarian. Advertisements, notification should have been issued before recruitment