RASHMI Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These three writ petitions pertain to different posts in different colleges but the common complaint of the three petitioners is with regard to the action of Kurukshetra University, Haryana. The colleges in question are affiliated to this University.

(2.) In CWP No. 7026 of 2018, the petitioner aspired for the post of Assistant Professor in History in Hindu Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Jind, the 5th respondent therein. She was selected for the post by the duly constituted Selection Committee, having secured the first position in order of merit. As per the Haryana Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service) Rules, 2006 (for short, 'the 2006 Rules'), the recommendations of Selection Committees of the affiliated colleges had to be approved by Kurukshetra University. In accordance with this statutory mandate, the Principal of the 5th respondent-College sought the approval of the University. However, by order dated 15.03.2018, the University refused to grant approval on the ground that the petitioner was not qualified as she had secured her Ph.D. degree contrary to the clarification issued by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi (for short, 'the UGC'), on 06.07.2015. Assailing the said refusal, the petitioner came before this Court.

(3.) In CWP No. 7027 of 2018, the petitioner applied for the post of Assistant Professor in Commerce in Babu Anant Ram Janta College, Kaul, the 5th respondent therein, pursuant to its Advertisement dated 14.05.2017. She was selected for the post by the duly constituted Selection Committee as she secured the first position in the merit list. Again, as per the 2006 Rules, the 5th respondent-College sought approval of Kurukshetra University. By order dated 14.03.2018, the University denied approval on the ground that the petitioner was not eligible for the post as she had been awarded her Ph.D. degree in violation of the UGC guidelines. Aggrieved thereby, she approached this Court.