IMPHAL, India, July 22 -- Manipur High Court issued the following order on July 8:

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL

WP(C) No. 492 of 2026 with MC(WP(C)) No. 509 of 2026

RK Hemakumar Singh ... Petitioner

- Versus -

Manipur University and 3 Ors. ... Respondents

B E F O R E

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A. GUNESHWAR SHARMA

ORDER

08.07.2026

[1] Heard Mr. K. Roshan, learned counsel along with Mr. Mangi, learned counsel for the petitioner; Mr. BP Sahu, learned sr. counsel on VC assisted by Mr. Abhisek P Sahu, learned counsel on behalf of the Manipur University (MU); Mr. Kh. Samarjit, learned DSGI assisted by Mr. N. Nongdamba, learned counsel for the respondent no. 2 (Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, Govt. of India); and Mr. S. Jasobanta, learned counsel along with Mr. L. Akash, learned counsel for the respondent no. 3 (UGC).

[2] By the present petition, the petitioner, who is the 2nd seniormost Professor in MU approaches this Court that the respondents be directed to call him for personal interaction/ interview to be held on 01.07.2026 & 02.07.2026 at New Delhi conducted by the Selection Committee appointed for this purpose. In terms of the advertisement in 'Annexure-A/8', appointment of Vice-Chancellor (VC) of MU, applications have been called from persons distinguished academician, with a minimum of 10 years' experience as Professor in a University or 10 years' experience in reputed research and/ or academic administrative organization with proof of having demonstrated academic leadership and not more than 65 years of age as on the closing date of receipt of applications of this advertisement. The petitioner also submitted his application along with his full bio-data and connected documents. However, he has not been given any call letter regarding interaction/ interview held on 01.07.2026 and 02.07.2026 whereas, some of his colleagues have received call letter from the respondents. Being aggrieved by the same, the petitioner filed the present writ petition on 25.06.2026. When the matter was taken up on 26.06.2026 (the last sitting prior to the summer vacation), the learned DSGI prayed for some time for taking instructions about the status of the petitioner and accordingly, the matter was listed before the first vacation bench on 01.07.2026. In the proceeding held on vacation sitting on 01.07.2026, this Court passed a detailed order and directed the Selection Committee to submit a detail about the selection procedure including the status of the petitioner.

[3] In compliance of the direction passed by this Court on 01.07.2026, the 3(three) Members Selection Committee submitted a statement dated 02.07.2026 to the Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India giving a short and clear steps taken up by the Selection Committee with respect to the appointment of the VC for MU. It is stated that in pursuance to the advertisement, a total of 377 candidates including the petitioner herein i.e. RK Hemakumar Singh submitted applications. In the first stage of process held 11th & 12th of May, 2026, the detailed applications form, bio-data and other credentials of all 377 candidates including the petitioner were thoroughly examined about their illegibility as academic experience, administrative experience & publication etc. taking in view of the criteria for the post of VC. It is further stated that the Selection Committee unanimously shortlisted a list of candidates which is found more suitable for being called for personal interaction in the second stage of process. It is clarified that the Committee had not shortlisted the name of the petitioner in the second stage of the process for personal interaction. The statement of the Selection Committee dated 02.07.2026 was forwarded by the Ministry to the learned DSGI in a sealed envelope (vide a copy of letter dated 06.07.2026) and the sealed envelope was handed over to this Court by Mr. Kh. Samarjit, learned DSGI and on the instructions of this Court, the envelope is opened and the contents as directed above was recorded by the Committee. Since, the Selection Committee has not shortlisted the name of the petitioner for being called for personal interaction/ interview, the cause of the writ petition (the substantive prayer be permitted in the interaction) has become infructuous as this Court cannot be passed substantive direction to the respondents to consider the name of the petitioner, who is not shortlisted for the interaction.

[4] In the circumstances, WP(C) No. 492 of 2026 is disposed of as infructuous and MC(WP(C)) No. 509 of 2026 is also disposed of, accordingly.

[5] The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that he may be given liberty to approach the Selection Committee or any other Authority for inquiry about the reason for his non-shortlisting for the second stage of the process for appointment of the VC in MU and for non-consideration of his name in the shortlisted candidates called for interaction in the second stage of the process for appointment of the VC of MU.

[6] This Court observed that the petitioner has liberty to proceed as permissible by law and the sealed envelope is returned to the learned DSGI.

JUDGE

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