T.N. government to withdraw G.O. promoting Dr. Ambedkar Law University Registrar as temporary Director of Legal Studies

In a decision that has drawn scrutiny from both legal scholars and student groups, the state government announced that it will withdraw a recently issued Gazette of India order that had named the Registrar of Dr. Ambedkar Law University as a temporary Director of Legal Studies. The order, published in late September, had been criticised as an unusual appointment that bypassed the standard merit‑based selection process, sparking calls from legal education watchdogs for greater transparency.The government’s announcement comes after a series of hearings in the High Court, where the matter was brought before the Honorable Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G..

In a statement released by the court’s press office, the two judges recorded that the vacancy would now be filled through the regular procedure, thereby reinforcing the importance of adherence to established protocols in public appointments.The Gazette order, dated 28 September, had declared that the Registrar of Dr. Ambedkar Law University would serve as the temporary Director of Legal Studies for the next twelve months. The appointment was described as “provisional” and “subject to periodic review.” However, critics argued that the order lacked clarity on the qualifications required for the role and did not disclose the criteria for the selection, raising concerns over potential favoritism.Professor Rajiv Menon, a senior law lecturer at the University of Hyderabad, said that the move could undermine the integrity of academic appointments in the state..

“When a university’s administrative official is appointed to a teaching post without a clear selection process, it sets a dangerous precedent,” he remarked. “Academic institutions must guard against politicisation of faculty appointments.”Students at Dr. Ambedkar Law University were among the first to voice concerns, organising a sit‑in protest at the campus library on 5 October..

The protest was led by the Students’ Union, which demanded that the government reverse the Gazette order and invite a national panel to conduct a transparent recruitment exercise. “We believe that the appointment should be merit‑based and open to all qualified candidates, not a bureaucratic shortcut,” said union president Ananya Patel. “Our education depends on it.”In response, the Department of Higher Education issued a statement clarifying that the temporary appointment was intended to address an unforeseen vacancy due to the retirement of the previous Director..

The department maintained that the Registrar had been chosen because of his familiarity with the legal curriculum and administrative experience. “The decision was made in the best interest of maintaining continuity in the department’s academic programmes,” the statement read.Legal experts, however, remain sceptical. Sanjay Gupta, who specialises in administrative law, highlighted that the appointment process contravenes the principles enshrined in the State Public Service Commission Act..

“The Act requires that all positions in public institutions be filled through a competitive examination or interview panel,” he said. “Circumventing this process erodes public trust.”The High Court’s decision to halt the Gazette order was prompted by a petition filed by a group of legal practitioners and former law professors. The petition argued that the appointment violated the state’s statutory framework governing appointments in public universities..

In their submission, the petitioners also requested that the court order a re‑examination of the vacancy through the State Public Service Commission.The Chief Justice’s recorded submission indicates that the court will now direct the state to follow the standard procedure for filling the Director’s post. The judge noted that the interim appointment had been a “stop‑gap” measure but that it should not set a precedent for future appointments. “The judiciary has no jurisdiction over administrative decisions, but it can ensure that they comply with statutory norms,” he said.The government has said that it will comply with the court’s direction and that a transparent recruitment process will commence within 60 days..

The Ministry of Education has appointed a senior officer to oversee the process, who will liaise with the State Public Service Commission to ensure that the selection is conducted in a fair and open manner. The officer will be responsible for drafting the advertisement, setting the eligibility criteria, and ensuring that the final shortlist is based on merit.Meanwhile, Dr. Ambedkar Law University has issued a statement that it remains committed to upholding academic standards and that the Registrar will return to his previous duties after the temporary appointment period ends..

The university’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Kavita Singh, emphasised that the institution would welcome qualified candidates from across the country. “We look forward to a recruitment process that reflects the university’s commitment to excellence,” she said.The withdrawal of the Gazette order has been welcomed by several advocacy groups that monitor educational equity..

The Legal Aid Forum, a non‑profit organisation, said that the decision demonstrates the importance of checks and balances in public appointments. “We hope that this episode serves as a reminder that transparency is essential in maintaining confidence in public institutions,” a spokesperson for the group said.As the process moves forward, observers will be watching to see whether the state adheres to the court’s directive and whether the recruitment process is genuinely open and merit‑based. The outcome of the appointment will have implications not only for Dr..

Ambedkar Law University but also for the broader landscape of legal education in the state. The court’s involvement underscores the judiciary’s role in safeguarding procedural fairness, even when it does not directly control administrative decisions. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether the state can restore public confidence in its appointment practices while ensuring that the legal studies programme at one of the country’s prominent law schools continues to thrive..