Article 142 powers usable protecting meritorious incumbent tenure preventing university administrative disruption

Where a Vice-Chancellor selection process is declared technically defective due to statutory non-compliance in the search committee's composition, but the appointed candidate possesses undisputed academic merit, high integrity, and unblemished service, immediate removal may inflict unwarranted career stigma and disrupt university administration. In such extraordinary circumstances, the Supreme Court can invoke its equitable powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to permit the incumbent to complete the remaining normal tenure or serve until a fresh lawful selection occurs. Protecting the incumbent's ongoing tenure balances administrative continuity while leaving the university free to initiate fresh selection processes compliant with UGC Regulations. (Dr. S. Mohan v. The Secretary to the Chancellor, Puducherry Technological University, Puducherry & Ors. | 2026 INSC 100)