Imphal : A Division Bench of the High Court of Manipur has stayed the issuance of appointment orders to candidates selected for 78 Group-B and Group-C posts at Manipur University, citing a prima facie case against the Cadre Recruitment Rules (CRR).

The interim order, passed came in response to a writ petition (Civil) filed by Wangkhem Ranjan and Sukham Bidyananda, who have alleged serious irregularities in the recruitment process. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for March 10, 2026.

After hearing arguments from counsel representing both petitioners and respondents, the Bench observed that the balance of convenience lay in favour of halting the appointment process until the issues raised in the petition are fully adjudicated.

The order effectively puts on hold the joining of candidates declared successful in the recruitment drive for non-teaching positions, pending further judicial scrutiny.

In a parallel development, the Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA) has alleged large-scale irregularities in the recruitment exercise and demanded an immediate probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In a statement, KSA Secretary-General Babulu Huirongbam accused the university’s Vice-Chancellor of conducting the recruitment process in alleged connivance with certain faculty members, describing it as a “well-planned scam”.

The Socialist Students’ Union of Manipur (SSUM) and the KSA further claimed that a majority of those recently selected are relatives of senior university officials, raising concerns over nepotism and transparency.

According to the KSA, the recruitment examination was conducted on January 29, 2026, despite widespread allegations of procedural lapses. The original recruitment notification had been issued on May 13, 2025.

The Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU) has welcomed the High Court’s interim order. MUSU president Nongpoknganba Yambem confirmed that the court had stayed the joining orders following the declaration of results and asserted that the union would not allow the recruitment process to proceed without a thorough and transparent investigation.

He reiterated the union’s demand for accountability, stating that fairness in appointments is critical to maintaining institutional credibility.

Referring to a hoax bomb incident reported on the university campus on February 24, the MUSU president suggested that it could be linked to tensions surrounding the recruitment controversy. According to him, an explosive device was reportedly planted by unidentified individuals in a residential area of the campus, triggering panic among students.

While authorities later confirmed it to be a hoax, student leaders emphasised that such acts create fear and insecurity and must not be repeated.

The recruitment row has intensified scrutiny on administrative processes at Manipur University, with the High Court’s intervention setting the stage for a detailed judicial examination of the allegations in the coming weeks.