Punjab-Haryana High Court
Pradeep Lamba vs State Of Haryana And Ors on 7 April, 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH
113
CWP--7201-2026
Date of decision: April 07, 2026
PRADEEP LAMBA
...Petitioner
Versus
STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS
...Respondents
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA
Present: Mr. S.K. Yadav, Advocate
for the petitioner.
Ms. Tanushree Gupta, Senior Deputy Advocate General,
Haryana.
Mr. K.K. Gupta, Advocate
for respondents no.2 to 4/University
/University.
Mr. Sardavinder Goyal, Advocate
for respondent no.5.
TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA,
DAHIYA J. (ORAL)
The petition has been filed inter alia seeking a writ of certiorari quashing the order dated 02.08.2025, whereby respondent no.5 has been appointed as Vice Chancellor of the respondent respondent-University.
2. An objection has been taken to maintainability of the petition by learned counsel for the University, appearing on advance notice. The he laid down qualification for appointment of Vice Chancellor in the University, which is apparent from the UGC Regulations, 2018, 2018 dated 18.07.2018, Annexure P P-10,, is as under:
i. A person possessing the highest level of competence, integrity, morals and institutional commitment is to be appointed as Vice Vice--
Chancellor. The person son to be appointed as a Vice-Chancellor Chancellor should be a distinguished academician, with a minimum of ten years' of experience as Professor in a University or ten years of JASPREET KAUR 2026.04.09 18:27 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh CWP-7201-2026 -2- experience in a reputed research and / or academic administrative organization with proof of having demonstrated academic leadership.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has referred to petitioner's biodata, Annexure P-1, to contend that he fulfills the requisite qualifications as he has been an elected Member of the Veterinary Council of India for two consecutive terms from 2010-2014 and 2014-2020. Besides, he has worked as Veterinary Surgeon in Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department with the Government of Haryana.
4. These qualifications or assignments do not, in any manner, establish that the petitioner fulfills the requirements for appointment as Vice Chancellor. The experience of working as Veterinary Surgeon with the Haryana Government or serving as an elected Member of the Veterinary Council of India cannot be termed experience in a reputed research and / or academic administrative organization with proof of having demonstrated academic leadership. Neither the Council nor the Department where the petitioner has served, has been shown to be a research or academic organisation. Accordingly, as the petitioner does not fulfill the requirements in terms of the UGC regulations, which are binding on the University, he has no locus standi to file the petition.
5. Dismissed.
April 07, 2026 (TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA)
Jaspreet Kaur JUDGE
Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No
Whether reportable : Yes/No
JASPREET KAUR
2026.04.09 18:27
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
Chandigarh