The Madhya Pradesh High Court has stayed the appointment of a junior professor as the Principal of Government M.H. Home Science Girls P.G. College, Jabalpur, citing the violation of a government circular that mandates appointment based on seniority.
The stay order was issued by Justice Vishal Mishra in Writ Petition No. 11987 of 2025, filed by Dr. Girish Verma, who claimed to be the senior-most professor at the college, working since 08 February 2012. The court observed that despite being senior, the petitioner was overlooked, and the charge was handed to Respondent No. 5, who was appointed as professor only on 13 June 2018 — over six years later.
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“It is for the respondents to demonstrate that he is actually made a Professor prior to the petitioner,” the Court noted, adding that “the procedure in terms of the circular issued by the Government for giving the charge of the Principal to the senior most Professor has not been followed in the present case.”
The petitioner referred to a similar case — Prantiya Shasakiya Mahavidyalayeen Pradhyapak Sangh vs. State of Madhya Pradesh (WP No. 20865 of 2024) — where the court upheld the importance of seniority in appointments. Citing this, the petitioner urged the court to stay the appointment dated 08.11.2024 (Annexure P/6), which had granted the principalship to Respondent No. 5.
In response, the counsel for Respondent No. 5 argued that:
- The respondent had fulfilled all necessary criteria.
- He had gone through an interview process.
- The appointment was valid based on his qualifications.
- The petitioner delayed filing the writ without justification and thus could not rely on the earlier decision.
Despite these arguments, the court emphasized that while the respondent may be eligible by qualification, "the fact remains that he has been made Professor in June 2018" and not before the petitioner.
Accordingly, the High Court granted interim relief to the petitioner:
“The effect and operation of the order impugned dated 08.11.2024, so far as it relates to granting of charge of Principal to the respondent No.5, is directed to be stayed till the next date of hearing.”
The court granted four weeks' time to the State Government to submit its response. Additionally, Respondent No. 5 is allowed to file a detailed reply along with an application for vacating the stay.
The matter is scheduled to be heard again after four weeks.
Case Title: Dr. Girish Verma Vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh And Others, Writ Petition No. 11987 Of 2025
