MC (W.A.) No. 33 of 2025 Page 1 Item No. 41 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL MC (W.A.) No. 33 of 2025 [Ref: W.A. No. 14 of 2023, W.A. No. 16 of 2023 & W.A. No. 21 of 2023] Bhabeswar Tongbram Applicant Vs. Khaidem Joychandra Singh; & Ors. Respondents BEFORE HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. D. KRISHNAKUMAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A. GUNESHWAR SHARMA ORDER 02.04.2025 D. Krishnakumar, C.J. : [1] Mr. SD Singh, learned counsel assisted by Mr. Tondon Thokchom, learned counsel, appears for the applicant; Mr. N. Jotendro, learned senior counsel, appears for respondent No. 1; Mr. M. Devananda, learned Additional Advocate General, Manipur, appears for respondent No. 2; Dr. RK Deepak, learned senior counsel, appears for respondent No. 3; and Mr. S. Jasobanta, learned counsel, appears for respondent No. 4. [2] The present miscellaneous application has been filed by the applicant, praying as follows: “Pass an order(s) or direction(s) that the applicant/appellant herein is permitted to discharge his duties as Vice Chancellor MTU, as per the appointment order dated 08.11.2021 issued by the Hon’ble Governor Chancellor of MTU and the stop gap arrangement stands ceased.” [3] Learned Counsel for the applicant states that vide order dated 08.11.2021, the applicant has been appointed as Vice Chancellor, Manipur Technical University. However, the aforesaid order dated 08.11.2021 has been set aside by the learned Single Judge, vide order dated 27.01.2023, passed in KABORAMBA M SANDEEP SINGH Digitally signed by KABORAMBAM SANDEEP SINGH Date: 2025.04.04 10:11:43 +05'30' MC (W.A.) No. 33 of 2025 Page 2 writ petitions, being WP (C) Nos. 791, 805, 807 and 825 of 2021. Aggrieved by the said order in the writ petitions, the applicant has preferred writ appeals, being W.A. No. 14 of 2023, W.A. No. 16 of 2023 and W.A. No. 21 of 2023, which were allowed by this Court vide common order dated 19.02.2025 with the direction as follows: “In fine, order of the writ court is set aside and consequently, writ appeals stand allowed, and remit back to writ court to decide afresh. We request the learned Single Judge to dispose of the writ petitions as early as possible within a period of 8 (eight) weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order.” [4] Learned counsel for the applicant submits that subsequent to the order in the writ petitions, by notification dated 27.01.2023, the Chancellor, Manipur Technical University, has appointed Shri H. Gyan Prakash, IAS, Commissioner, Higher & Technical Education, Government of Manipur, as Vice- Chancellor of Manipur Technical University as stop-gap arrangement till a regular Vice Chancellor is appointed. [5] According to the applicant, he has filed the instant application in view of the order passed in the writ appeals, seeking for reinstating in the office of the Vice-Chancellor of the Manipur Technical University. [6] At this juncture, the instant application is objected by the learned counsel appearing for the respondents. [7] In the circumstances, this Court is of the view that while disposing of the writ appeals, direction was already issued to remit back the writ petitions back to the writ court to decide afresh within a stipulated time, therefore, we are not inclined to entertain the instant application at this juncture. MC (W.A.) No. 33 of 2025 Page 3 [8] Learned counsel for the applicant submitted that if the writ petitions are not disposed of within the stipulated time, a direction may be issued to the Chancellor, Manipur Technical University to consider the representation dated 20.02.2025 submitted by the applicant for revoking the order dated 27.01.2023 and reinstating the applicant as Vice-Chancellor of Manipur Technical University. [9] Learned senior counsel for the respondents have no serious objection if such a direction is passed by this Court, if the applicant co-operates for disposal of the writ petitions, and seeks to extend a further period of 6(six) weeks for disposal of the writ petitions. [10] In view of the above, Registry is directed to list the writ petitions before the learned Single Judge immediately and the learned Single Judge is requested to dispose of the same within a period of 6 (six) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. [11] It is made clear that if the writ petitions are not disposed of within the stipulated time, the Chancellor, Manipur Technical University, shall consider the representation dated 20.02.2025 submitted by the applicant for revoking order dated 27.01.2023 and reinstating the applicant as Vice Chancellor of the Manipur Technical University, as expeditiously as possible. [12] With the above observation, the present application is closed. JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE Sandeep