DR. P. MURUGESA BOOPATHI, THE VICE CHANCELLOR, TAMIL NADU AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY Vs. THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION COMMISSIONER & SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT & OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS Writ Petition at the instance of a former Personal Assistant to the Minister for Agriculture/former Vice Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University seeks a Writ of Mandamus forbearing the Director of Vigilance and Anti -Corruption Department, Chennai from conducting any enquiry against him pursuant to the proceedings dated 6th January 2011. The facts:

(2.) THE Petitioner joined the service of the Agricultural Department as Agricultural Officer on 26th July 1972. He was appointed as Assistant Professor on 1st February 1989 in the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. He was later promoted as Professor. The Petitioner served as Technical Personal Assistant to the Minister for Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu. The Petitioner on attaining the age of superannuation, retired on 31st August 2010. The Petitioner was thereafter appointed as Vice Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University by the Governor of Tamil Nadu and he assumed office on 4th June 2009. While so, the Fourth Respondent, stated to be the Inspector of Police attached to Directorate of Vigilance and Anti -Corruption Special Investigation Cell, started sending summons to various persons including the Secretary to the Department of Agricultural seeking certain details with respect to the property owned by him for the period from 1st April 2004 to 31st March 2009. The immediate provocation for filing this Writ Petition appears to be the letter sent by the Fourth Respondent addressed to the Registrar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University calling upon the said authority to furnish a complete statement of movable and immovable properties held or acquired by the Petitioner and the members of his family for the period from 1st April 2004 to 31st March 2009.

(3.) THOUGH the challenge was only to the notice issued by the Fourth Respondent to the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to furnish details with respect to the properties, the Petitioner prayed for an interim order of stay of all further proceedings. The learned Single Judge granted interim protection initially for a period of four weeks on 20th January 2011. It is a matter of record that on account of the order of interim stay, the Petitioner completed his term as Vice Chancellor without facing Vigilance enquiry.