Considering that there were no Vice-Chancellors in 14 universities in the State for several years, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has sought a report from the Secretary of the Higher Education Department in this regard.Justice B. Pugalendhi also sought to know the reasons for not filling Vice-Chancellor posts, and the steps taken by the present administration to fill them.The court was hearing a petition filed by Professor A. Velanganni Joseph of Madurai Kamaraj University against the Registrar (in-charge) of the university, S. Muthiah. The petitioner contended that Mr. Muthiah does not possess the required qualifications.The university submitted that Mr. Muthiah was acting only as the Registrar (in-charge) on a temporary basis, and that he possessed all necessary qualifications. He was appointed by a competent authority, it added.A notification was issued on June 2 for the appointment of a regular Registrar, and the last date for submitting the applications was July 8. Applications had been received, and the process of appointing a regular Registrar was under way, it said.During the course of the arguments, the court was told that there were no Vice-Chancellors at 14 universities, and that most of the universities were now administered by Registrars (in-charge), with all the decisions being taken by the Convenor Committee.The judge said that though the court was not inclined to entertain the petition, considering the submissions made across the Bar that there were no Vice-Chancellors at 14 universities for several years, it expected a report. Published - August 22, 2026 11:25 am IST