Anna University moves Madras High Court against governor order revoking VC suspension

The Madras High Court on Tuesday admitted a writ petition filed by Anna University challenging the order of the governor-chancellor that set aside the suspension of former vice chancellor R Velraj.

The petition was heard by M Dhandapani who issued a notice in the matter after hearing preliminary arguments from the university’s counsel.

As per the court documents, Anna University, represented by its registrar, has approached the High Court seeking to quash the proceedings dated September 5, 2025, issued by the governor-chancellor.

Anna University’s dispute is rooted in a larger controversy involving alleged irregular appointments of faculty members at affiliated colleges, the Times of India reported.

Following these allegations, the university’s highest governing body, the Syndicate, suspended former VC Velraj, during whose tenure the alleged appointments took place. However, after Velraj filed an appeal, the governor-chancellor revoked the suspension and permitted him to retire with full benefits.

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The university stated that its Syndicate had resolved in its 275th meeting held on July 31, 2025, to suspend Velraj in contemplation of a detailed enquiry into serious allegations, including corruption and administrative irregularities. Acting on this resolution, the Convenor Committee, exercising the powers of the VC, issued a formal suspension order.

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Appearing for the university, counsel Richardson Wilson argued that the chancellor does not have appellate authority over a decision taken by the Syndicate. He contended that the governor-chancellor acted without jurisdiction and did not provide adequate opportunity to the Syndicate or the Convenor Committee before passing the order.

The university further submitted that the suspension was only a preliminary step pending enquiry into grave charges and that quashing it at the threshold was legally unsustainable.

After hearing the submissions, the High Court admitted the writ petition and issued notice. The matter will be heard further in due course.