Manipur High Court
Rk Hemakumar Singh vs Manipur University And 3 Ors on 8 July, 2026
Author: A. Guneshwar Sharma
Bench: A. Guneshwar Sharma
Item no. 5 & 6
Oinam Digitally
signed by
Thoiba IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR
Thoib Oinam
Meitei AT IMPHAL
a Date:
2026.07.08
16:29:22 WP(C) No. 492 of 2026 with
Meitei +05'30' 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
Thoiba
