THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE V. ESWARAIAH WRIT PETITION No.27653 OF 2005 Dated: 10-03-2006 Between Prof. A. Malla Reddy, S/o. A. Jaganmohan Reddy, Professor & Deputy Director, Regional Centre for Urban & Environmental Studies, Osmania University, Hyderabad, R/o. Flat No.202, Surbi Heaven, Door No.2-2-10, D.D. Colony, Hyderabad. …PETITIONER AND The Regional Centre for Urban & Environmental Studies, Osmania University, Hyderabad, rep. by its Chairman, Governing Council/Vice Chancellor, Osmania University, Hyderabad and others. …RESPONDENTS ORDER: Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned standing counsel appearing for the respondents 1 and 2 and Sri. N. Sridhar Reddy, learned counsel appearing for the third respondent. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is working as a Professor in the first respondent institution with effect from 25.07.2003. He further submits that in respect of the first respondent institution the Osmania University used to appoint the senior most person of the first respondent institution as in-charge Director in the absence of the Director. In fact, the senior most Professor one Sri D. Ravindra Prasad was the Director of the first respondent institution. While the said professor was on Foreign Service, the second senior most Professor Sri V. Laxmipathi was kept In-charge of the center and the petitioner was appointed as Deputy Director of the first respondent institution vide proceedings of the second respondent dated 03.04.2003. As certain irregularities occurred during the period of Sri V. Laxmipathi, one Professor Sri Mutha Reddy, Registrar, Osmania University was appointed as In-charge Director of the first respondent institution with effect from 03.04.2003. While so, the second respondent vide his proceedings dated 28.10.2004 appointed the Head of Department of Public Administration, as the regular Director Sri D. Ravindra Prasad was due to retire on 31.10.2004. The third respondent was relieved as the Head of the Department with effect from 27.07.2005. Therefore, the petitioner made a representation to the Vice Chancellor, Osmania University on 21.08.2005 stating that the third respondent, who retired as the Head of the Department cannot continue as the In- charge Director of the first respondent institution and he being the senior most Professor of the first respondent institution, he shall be appointed as the In-charge Director. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the Public Administration Department has nothing to do with the first respondent institution as the first respondent institution is a separate center and therefore, it is just and proper to appoint the senior most Professor of the same institution as In-charge Director in the absence of the regular Director. However, it is the Governing Council of the first respondent institution, which considers and takes appropriate decision for the appointment of In-charge Director in the absence of the regular Director. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, the writ petition is disposed of directing the Governing Council of the first respondent institution to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 21.08.2005 taking into consideration the claims of the all eligible and competent persons to be appointed as In- charge Director of the first respondent institution in the absence of regular Director, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. ______________ V. ESWARAIAH, J March 10, 2006 DSK