The Madras High Court Bench in Madurai on Thursday set aside the appointment of Madurai Kamaraj University Vice-Chancellor Kalyani Mathivanan on the ground that she had served only as an Associate Professor and not as a Professor as required under UGC regulations.
A Division Bench comprising Justice V. Ramasubramanian and Justice V.M. Velumani passed the order while allowing two writ petitions challenging her appointment. However, following a request made by her counsel, the judges have permitted her to go on appeal in the Supreme Court.
The judges rejected Ms. Mathivanan's contention that she had served as an Associate Professor for 31 years and that should be considered to be equivalent to have held the post of Professor.
“We are of the view that the fourth respondent did not satisfy the eligibility criteria stipulated by the UGC, 2010 for appointment as Vice Chancellor and that the non fulfillment of such eligibility criteria cannot be completely whitewashed on the specious plea that the UGC regulations are not mandatory. Hence, the appointment of R4 is liable to be set aside,” the Bench observed.
