The Madras High Court today quashed a central government order cancelling the selection of 31 professors for the city-based Indian Maritime University (IMU) following allegations of irregularities in the process.
Holding that the cancellation of the selection was bad in law, Justice M M Sundresh said all the candidates were duly qualified and were chosen by a fair selection process, which included interviews over phone/Skype.
He asked the IMU Administration to offer them continuity of service and other benefits except back wages.
The appointment of the 31 professors was quashed by the Centre after Captain Mohan Committee, formed by the government to go into allegations of irregularities in their selection, in April, 2013 recommended a review of the entire selection process.
Challenging this, the professors had moved the court.
The Judge in his order said "it is not in dispute that all the 31 were selected after the interview. Such methodology is sought to be overturned in a sweeping manner by merely accepting the report of the Captain Mohan Committee which is devoid of material particulars, apart from not being binding."
Holding that the very constitution of the committee was improper, Justice Sundresh said its report has got no statutory prescription.
"It has made general remarks here and there. It has not gone into the qualification and eligibility of petitioners. The constitution of the committee and the reliance made on its report, which formed the basis of the impugned orders, is bad in law," the Judge ruled.
