The Delhi High Court has issued notices to Jamia Millia Islamia University, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and others in response to a plea by Professor Eqbal Hussain.
Hussain is challenging a single-judge’s decision that invalidated his appointment as the university’s officiating Vice-Chancellor. This challenge has led to an appeal before a Division Bench.
On Wednesday, Justices Vibhu Bakhru and Tara Vitasta Ganju rejected Hussain’s counsel’s request for interim directions concerning decisions made by the new Vice-Chancellor. The Bench stated, “We are not going to infringe the entire working of a person who is already in office.”
The Delhi High Court decided to issue a notice in the case and scheduled further consideration for August.
Previously, on May 22, Justice Tushar Rao Gedela had ruled that Professor Hussain’s appointment as pro-Vice-Chancellor and subsequently as officiating Vice-Chancellor was unlawful. The single-judge declared that Hussain’s continuation in these roles was impermissible because his appointment did not comply with the university’s statutes.
The ruling directed the Visitor of the University to appoint an eligible person as the officiating Vice-Chancellor immediately. This interim appointment was to occur within a week of receiving the court order. Additionally, the process for appointing a permanent Vice-Chancellor was to begin within two weeks of the temporary appointment and be completed within 30 days.
The order was the result of two petitions that argued Hussain’s appointment violated the Jamia Millia Islamia Act. Justice Gedela concluded that Hussain’s appointment was improper and against the law.
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