Writ of Quo Warranto Not Maintainable Against University Professor: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that a writ of quo warranto cannot be used to challenge the appointment of a university professor or associate professor.

Justice Jai Kumar Pillai held that teaching faculty are university employees and do not hold "public office," which is a mandatory requirement for such a writ.

The Court noted that under the Madhya Pradesh Vishwavidyalaya Adhiniyam, 1973, teachers are not defined as "officers" or "authorities."

Consequently, the Court dismissed a petition challenging a 1996 appointment, stating the relationship is strictly one of employer and employee.

[Dr Kshamasheel Mishra v. The State of Madhya Pradesh]