New Delhi, May 24: On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court annulled the appointment of Eqbal Hussain as the pro vice-chancellor and acting vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), citing non-compliance with pertinent regulations.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela decreed that to prevent disruption in the university’s operations, a new acting vice-chancellor must be appointed within a week. The court further instructed the President of India, as the Visitor of Jamia, to initiate the process of appointing a regular vice-chancellor no later than two weeks following the appointment of the temporary administrator. This process should be concluded within 30 days.
The ruling was in response to petitions filed by Md Shami Ahmad Ansari and others, who argued that both of Hussain’s appointments contravened the Jamia Millia Islamia Act and University Grants Commission regulations.
The court noted the absence of a valid explanation for why the necessary steps were not taken promptly, given that the tenure expiration of the previous vice-chancellor, Najma Akhtar, was known in advance. Hussain’s appointment, according to the court, should have been presented to the university’s executive council for approval. Any disagreements should have been referred to the Visitor for resolution.
Hussain was initially appointed as the pro vice-chancellor by then VC Najma Akhtar. Upon her retirement on November 12, 2023, he was notified to assume the role of acting vice-chancellor, a move now deemed invalid by the court.
Hours after the Delhi High Court quashed the appointment of Eqbal Hussain and directed the university to make a fresh appointment within one week, JMI on Wednesday appointed Mohammad Shakeel as its Officiating Vice Chancellor.
Shakeel is the senior most professor with the Department of Civil Engineering in Jamia. He has assumed the charge of the Officiating VC till a regular Vice Chancellor of the university assumes office. Shakeel has served in various administrative positions such as Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Controller of Examinations, Director, Centre for Distance and Online Education, Head, Department of Civil Engineering, among others. He has also been part of a number of important committees of the university.
“I will do my best to safeguard the interest of the university at all levels,” Shakeel said after assuming the charge as Officiating VC.
After taking charge, he also appointed M Nasim Haider, Deputy Registrar-I as Officiating Registrar of the university with immediate effect till further orders.
