Delhi High Court Records Revocation of Former Jamia Millia Islamia VC's Suspension

On 21 January 2026, a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia disposed of a Letters Patent Appeal filed by Prof. Eqbal Hussain, a former officiating Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, concerning his suspension by the University.

At the hearing, the University's Standing Counsel tendered an order dated 20 January 2026 by which the University had revoked the suspension. The Court took the order on record.

Noting that disciplinary proceedings were still pending, the Bench provided that until they concluded, the appellant would not discharge the functions of Estate Officer but would discharge all his academic and teaching functions.

The Bench recorded that more than one and a half years had passed since the proceedings were instituted, observing that "such prolonged inquiry is neither in the interest of the employees nor the employer." It directed that the inquiry be concluded within six weeks and that the order be communicated to the University without waiting for a certified copy.

The appellant had earlier challenged the suspension order dated 8 August 2024 in W.P.(C) 12337/2024. A Single Judge disposed of that petition on 12 December 2025 on the University's statement that the inquiry would be concluded within eight weeks.

In subsequent orders, the Bench granted the University a further six weeks on 12 March 2026, stating that no further time would be available. On 22 May 2026, it recorded that the inquiry had been completed, directed the University's Executive Council to consider the inquiry report at its first meeting, and closed the proceedings in the appeal.