(1.) The subject matter involved in both the writ petitions are common and therefore, both the writ petitions are taken up together and disposed of through this common judgment.
(2.) The petitioner in WP No.1603 of 2020 is a trust, which is running a Engineering College named as Sengunthar Engineering College at Namakkal District. Initially this college was affiliated to Periyar University and thereafter, it was affiliated to the Anna University. The said college applied for Autonomous status before the University Grant Commission. The University Grant Commission granted the autonomous status to the college from the academic year 2019-2020 to 2028-2029 and the same was communicated to the petitioner by letter dated 24.06.2019. Before this status was conferred, an inspection was conducted and it also contained a representative from the Anna University. Thereafter, the 1st respondent by proceedings dated 13.01.2020 has withdrawn the autonomous status on the basis of a resolution passed in the Syndicate Meeting. The same has been put to challenge in this writ petition.
(3.) The petitioner institution received a communication from the 1st respondent University, recommending for cancellation of the Autonomous status. The impugned letter dated 13.01.2020 stated that the Autonomous status is revoked by virtue of the resolution passed in the Syndicate meeting. Aggrieved by the same, the present writ petition has been filed before this Court.