HC issues notice to DU on St Stephen's petition

New Delhi, Jul 29 (UNI) Delhi High Court today issued notice to Delhi University (DU) on the petition filed by St Stephen's College, seeking that it be exempted from the university ordinance which sets the norms for selection of principal, as it is a Minority Institution.

Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice S Murlidhar issued notice to the DU and asked them to give reply by August 1.

St Stephen's College urged that it is a Minority institution and the DU has no right to interfere in the selection process of the principal.

Lawyer for St Stephen's College contended that they have always filled up the post of principal in accordance with the college constitution and DU has never objected to it. This time, when they started the selection process for the post of the principal, which is currently lying vacant, the University directed them to follow the selection committee composition as laid down in ordinance XVIII, Clause 7(2) of the Act.

According to the Clause 7(2)of the University Ordinance, the college, after completion of the eligibility and selection process, has to send the list of shortlisted candidates to the DU.

The final selection is made by the university and if they still don't approve any name, the whole process of selection takes place again, and the college have no other option but to advertise again for the post.

The college has alleged that the ordinance deprives them of their fundamental right to choose a principal, wheras it is a settled law that Minority Educational Institutions are free to choose any qualified person as the head of their college, their qualification being only restriction.

UNI SNG RSA RP VC1928