Madurai Bench flags Vice-Chancellor vacancies in 14 Tamil Nadu universities while hearing quo warranto against MKU in-charge Registrar
Justice B. Pugalendhi has called for a government report on why Vice-Chancellor posts remain unfilled across nearly 14 Tamil Nadu universities, even as a quo warranto petition targets MKU's in-charge Registrar.
A petition challenging the appointment of the in-charge Registrar of Madurai Kamaraj University has drawn a broader response from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. Justice B. Pugalendhi, sitting singly, declined to entertain the quo warranto petition at this stage but used submissions made at the Bar to call on the Tamil Nadu government to explain why nearly 14 State universities are functioning without regular Vice-Chancellors. The court has directed the Additional Advocate General to seek instructions from the Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, and has listed the matter after three weeks.
The dispute before the Madurai Bench
Petitioner A. Velanganni Joseph filed WP(MD) No.23417 of 2026 under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a Writ of Quo Warranto against Dr. S. Muthaiah, who holds the post of Registrar (In-charge) at Madurai Kamaraj University. The prayer, as amended on 19 August 2026, directed Dr. Muthaiah to show cause under what authority he continues to hold the post.
The petitioner's case was that Dr. Muthaiah does not possess the qualifications required for the Registrar's post. Mr. V.R. Kamalanathan appeared for the petitioner, and Mr. Isaac Mohan Lal, Senior Counsel, represented the third respondent.
University's response: temporary appointment, regular process underway
Senior Counsel for the third respondent told the court that Dr. Muthaiah holds the post only on a temporary, in-charge basis and that he possesses all the required qualifications, having been appointed by a competent authority.
Counsel further submitted that a notification for the appointment of a regular Registrar was issued on 2 June 2026, with a deadline of 8 July 2026 for applications. Applications have been received and the selection process is ongoing. On that basis, the university's position was that the quo warranto petition does not survive as a regular appointment is in progress.
Wider concern: no Vice-Chancellors in nearly 14 Tamil Nadu universities
During arguments, counsel on both sides placed before the court a concern that went beyond Madurai Kamaraj University. They submitted that approximately 14 State universities in Tamil Nadu presently have no regular Vice-Chancellor and that these institutions are being administered by Registrars In-charge, with major decisions taken by Convenor Committees.
Justice Pugalendhi noted that this situation has persisted for several years. Although the court said it was “not inclined to entertain this writ petition,” it treated the submissions as sufficient reason to direct an official explanation.
The bench accordingly asked the first respondent, the Principal Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department, Chennai, to file a report addressing why the Vice-Chancellor posts have remained vacant and what steps the present administration has taken to fill them. The Additional Advocate General, Mr. J. Barathan, who appeared for the first respondent, was directed to obtain those instructions.
Outcome
The court did not issue the writ of quo warranto and did not disturb Dr. Muthaiah's current position as Registrar (In-charge). The matter has been posted for hearing after three weeks from 19 August 2026. The order was directed to be issued on 20 August 2026 and is addressed to the Principal Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Chennai.