The Madras High Court on Monday refused to vacate an interim injunction restraining the management of Voorhees College in Vellore, a minority institution, from proceeding with the process to fill up the post of Principal.
Justice M.V. Muralidharan passed the interim order on a writ plea moved by Balwin Nambikkairaj, Head of the Department of Zoology and an elected member of the Executive Committee of the CSI Diocese of Vellore, which oversees the administration of the institution.
According to the petitioner, the post of principal is due to fall vacant on May 31. The issue was discussed at the Executive Committee meeting held on February 27. The committee decided that two principals other institution and the Honorary Secretary of Voorhees College would serve as Panel Committee make the appointment.
Alleging that the decision of the committee is in violation of the constitution and the by-laws of CSI Diocese of Vellore, the petitioner said, “The by-laws mandates that whenever the post of Principal falls vacant, the Diocesan Executive Committee shall appoint a panel consisting of one representative each from the Diocesan Executive Committee, Board for Collegiate Education and the respective College Governing Board.”
The Executive Committee shall appoint the Principal from the list suggested by the panel and it has a right to reject the recommendation and ask for a fresh list of names, he added.
Mr. Balwin claimed that the committee had violated the Rule and has decided to follow the procedure which has been in practice for past 40 years. Contending that if the committee is allowed to proceed with the process of appointment of principal the same would be in total contravention of the provisions of the by-laws.
