Chennai: The Madras high court stayed on Tuesday all further proceedings pursuant to the notification issued by Periyar University, inviting applications from eligible candidates to the post of assistant professor for the Periyar University College of Arts and Science at Mettur, in Salem district. Admitting the petition filed by C. Madhesh, a lecturer in the Commerce department of the college, Justice K. Kalyanasundaram also restrained Periyar University from disturbing or terminating the service of the petitioner as lecturer/assistant professor in the Commerce department.

According to Madhesh, the university issued a notification in 2006 through newspapers inviting applications from eligible candidates for faculty positions to the disciplines on consolidated pay as per government norms. He applied for the post of lecturer in Commerce and was selected and appointed. From the date of joining, he discharged his duties with an unblemished record and to the satisfaction of the university.

Since he was working as a lecturer for more than eight years, he requested the university to regularise his service as a lecturer or assistant professor. On September 17, 2010, the university informed him that this would be done as and when vacancies arise, based on qualifications and seniority. His appointment was made in a regular and sanctioned post. While so, on December 9, 2014, the university issued a notification, inviting applications from eligible candidates for the post of assistant professor. This was a total shock and surprise to him and other lecturers.

He was deprived of his right to a livelihood. He had been appointed through a selection committee by direct recruitment. He was qualified as per UGC norms. Hence, his appointment has to be regularised, but this was not done till date. The impugned notification was totally against articles 14, 16 and 21 of the Constitution. Therefore, it was liable to be set aside, he added.