ARVIND R. TUPE Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We propose to decide these 11 (eleven) writ petitions by this common order, in view of the similarity of facts and circumstances that have given rise to the same as well as the identical nature of relief claimed by each of the petitioners.

(2.) The petitioner in Writ Petition No. 1121/2021 was selected and appointed on promotion as Assistant Professor, Agro-Metrology by Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidhyapeeth (hereafter "the University" for short). By an order dated July 09, 2020, the University reverted the petitioner to the post of Assistant Professor, Agro-Metrology, which he was holding prior to his promotion as noted above. The order of reversion dated July 09, 2020 is the subject matter of challenge in the writ petition. However, no interim order, as yet, has been passed.

(3.) Writ Petition No. 1888/2020 is at the instance of four petitioners. All the petitioners were selected and appointed on promotion as Associate Professors by the University; however, the disciplines to which these petitioners belong are different. While the petitioners 1 and 2 were appointed on promotion as Associate Professors in Agricultural Botany and Horticulture, respectively, the petitioners 3 and 4 were similarly appointed on promotion as Associate Professors, Agricultural Entomology. By order dated July 07, 2020 of the University, all the petitioners were reverted as Assistant Professors in their respective disciplines. While hearing Writ Petition No. 1888/2020 on August 28, 2020, a co-ordinate Bench of this Court directed status-quo to be maintained until further orders. As on that date, the petitioner-s 1 to 3 were continuing as Associate Professors. By virtue of the order of status-quo, they have been continuing as such till date. However, the petitioner no. 4 had, on reversion, joined as Assistant Professor on August 07, 2020, i.e., before the interim order was passed. He is, therefore, discharging duty, as on date, as Assistant Professor, Agricultural Entomology.