Dr.D.Kilimozhi M.Pharm., Ph.D., Vs the Vice-Chancellor

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WP No. 24726 of 2024

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 10-06-2026

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CORAM

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THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA WP Nos. 24726, 24814, 24820 and 24771 of 2024 and WMP Nos. 6350, 6354, 6353 and 6352 of 2026 and WMP Nos. 27159 27169 27046 and 27107 of 2024 and WMP Nos. 795 of 2025 and 794 OF 2025

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WP No. 24726 of 2024 Dr.D.Kilimozhi M.Pharm.,Ph.D

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..Petitioner

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Vs

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The Vice-chancellor Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District 608002.

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The Registrar Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District 608002.

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..Respondent(s)

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WP No. 24814 of 2024

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Dr.V.Padmathilagam,M.E.Ph.D

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..Petitioner(s)

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Vs

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The Vice-chancellor Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District-608 002

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The Registrar Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram Cuddalore District-608002

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..Respondent(s)

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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WP No. 24726 of 2024

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WP No. 24820 of 2024

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Dr.R.Bensraj, M.E., Ph.D.,

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..Petitioner(s)

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Vs

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The Vice-chancellor Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District 608002.

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The Registrar Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District 608002.

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..Respondent(s)

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WP No. 24771 of 2024

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Dr.A.Anton Smith, M.Pharm, Ph.D.,

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..Petitioner(s)

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Vs

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The Vice Chancellor Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District-608002

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The Registrar Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District-608 002

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..Respondent(s)

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Prayer in W.P.No.24726 of 2024:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the 2nd respondent in Office Memorandum No.C-3/14991/2024 dated 16.05.2024 and quash the same and to direct the respondent to promote the petitioner as a Professor in terms of the Judgment of this Court made in W.A.No. 1807 of 2022 dated 13.07.2023.

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WP No. 24726 of 2024

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Prayer in WP No. 24814 of 2024:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the 2nd respondent in office Memorandum No.C-3/14991/2024 dated 16.5.2024 and quash the same and to direct the respondent to promote the petitioner as a Professor in terms of the Judgement of this court made in W.A.No.1807 of 2022 dated 13.7.2023

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Prayer inWP No. 24820 of 2024:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the 2nd respondent in Office Memorandum No.C-3/14991/2024 dated 16.05.2024 and quash the same and to direct the respondent to promote the petitioner as a Professor in terms of the Judgment of this Court made in W.A.No. 1807 of 2022 dated 13.07.2023.

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Prayer inWP No. 24771 of 2024:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the 2nd respondent in office Memorandum No.C-3/14991/2024 dated 16.05.2024 and quash the same and to direct the respondent to promote the petitioner as a Professor in terms of the Judgement of this court made in W.A.No.1807 of 2022 dated 13.7.2023

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For Petitioner(s):	Mr. L.Chandrakumar
in all W.Ps	for Ms. T.Dharani,
For Respondent(s):	Mr. Nambi Aroora, for
in all W.Ps	M/s Ajmal Associates for R1 & R2

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WP No. 24726 of 2024

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COMMON ORDER

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These writ petitions have been filed to call for the records of the 2nd respondent in office Memorandum No.C-3/14991/2024 dated 16.5.2024 and quash the same and to direct the respondent to promote the petitioner as a Professor in terms of the Judgement of this Court made in W.A.No.1807 of 2022 dated 13.7.2023

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The petitioners were working as Assistant Professors in the respondent University and were eligible for promotion under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) to the posts of Associate Professor and Professor. Pursuant to the notification issued by the University inviting applications for promotion, the petitioners submitted their applications and appeared before the Selection Committee after scrutiny of their credentials. According to the petitioners, they possessed the requisite qualifications, experience and API score for promotion. However, no orders were passed by the University within the prescribed period. Therefore, the petitioners along with other similarly placed teachers submitted representations seeking promotion. Earlier, this Court, on 18.01.2021, had directed the respondent-University to consider such representations, pursuant to which the petitioners were promoted as Associate Professors, but their claim for promotion as Professors was not considered. Challenging the same, the petitioners had earlier approached this Court in W.P.No.14422 of 2021 etc

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WP No. 24726 of 2024

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batch. The said Writ Petition was dismissed by order dated 27.04.2022. Against the said order, a batch of Writ Appeals have been filed in W.A.No.1807 of 2022 etc, batch before the Division Bench of this Court. The Division Bench of this Court, by order dated 13.07.2023, had set aside the impugned orders and directed the respondent-University to consider the claim of the appellants therein. Pursuant to the said judgment, the petitioners had submitted a fresh representation to the respondents seeking for promotion to the post of Professor with effect from 01.07.2018, 31.07.2016, 02.08.2017 and 01.07.2018 respectively under the CAS. Subsequently, this Court, on 25.03.2024 in W.P.Nos.8254, 8258, 8261 and 8263 of 2024, had directed the second respondent to consider the representation of the petitioners in the light of the earlier Division Bench judgment in W.A.No.1807 of 2022 etc., batch and pass appropriate orders. The matter went upto the Hon’ble Supreme Court which was also dismissed and the order of the Division Bench dated 13.07.2023 had attained finality. Pursuant thereto, the second respondent passed the impugned proceedings in Office Memorandum No.C-3/14991/2024 dated 16.05.2024 rejecting the petitioners’ claim. Challenging the said order, the present writ petitions have been filed.

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Heard the learned counsels on either side and perused the materials available on record.

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WP No. 24726 of 2024

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It is now brought to the notice of the Court that the Review Application Nos. 105 to 123 of 2024 etc batch in Cont.P.Nos.165 to 2026 and 237 to 255 of 2024 have been disposed of by this Court on 27.11.2025 with the following observations.

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“The respective learned Senior Counsel and the learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents as well as the learned Additional Advocate General appearing on behalf of the review applicants would submit that in pursuant to the order of this Court, enquiry committee completed the enquiry and submitted its report. This Court, passed an order, directing the University to consider the claim of the writ petitioners for further promotion to the post of Professor under the CAS and pass necessary orders within a period of three months. Since the enquiry committee submitted its report and the eligible persons are identified, the process commenced may be concluded as per the submissions made by the learned Additional Advocate General.

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2.Regarding the Contempt Petitions, it is brought to the notice of this court that since the order had been implemented, no further adjudication needs to be undertaken. Consequently,

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WP No. 24726 of 2024

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all the Review Applications and the Contempt Petitions are disposed of. No costs.”

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Considering the fact that the enquiry Committee has already submitted its report identifying the persons eligible for promotion, the respondents shall implement the report of the Committee within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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Therefore, in the light of the above order passed in the review applications, the impugned orders cannot be sustained and are accordingly quashed. Consequently, these writ petitions are disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

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10-06-2026

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Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No

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SRN

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To

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