Breaking: Important update in case of Professor Eqbal Hussain
The Delhi High Court has revoked the suspension of former Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia and legal scholar Professor Eqbal Hussain, reported UNI on Monday. It reported that the court observed that prolonged disciplinary proceedings against him were neither in the interest of the employee nor the institution.
The order was passed by a Division Bench while hearing an appeal filed by Hussain against his suspension by Jamia. The university informed the court that the suspension order dated September 6, 2024, had already been withdrawn through a fresh order issued on January 20, 2026.
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Allowing Hussain to return to his academic and teaching responsibilities, the court clarified that he shall not perform the duties of Estate Officer pending the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings. Observing that the departmental inquiry had been pending for more than eighteen months, the High Court noted that inordinate delays cause undue hardship and, accordingly, directed the university to complete the inquiry within six weeks.
The controversy surrounding Hussain traces its origins to 2024, when Jamia Millia Islamia suspended him over allegations that he had “wrongfully” issued a letter related to the sale of a piece of university land, according to a report in a national daily.
The development came at a time when Professor Hussain had taken charge as acting Vice-Chancellor after the end of Najma Akhtar’s tenure.
The order read: “The executive council deliberated on the matter that prima facie there was no authorisation or approval from the competent authority or the executive council in favour of Professor Eqbal Hussain to issue such a letter.” The varsity has initiated an inquiry against Hussain which is likely to be headed by a sitting or retired judge of the HC.
In 2025, the Delhi High Court had quashed the appointment of Hussain as the Pro Vice Chancellor and subsequently as Officiating Vice Chancellor of Jamia, holding that the appointments were not made in conformity with the relevant statute.
Hussain is a professor in the Faculty of Law.
“…The officiating vice-chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia, in terms of powers vested in him under statute 37(1) of the statute of university, hereby places professor Eqbal Hussain, Faculty of Law, JMI, under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry against him on the matter,” the order read. “During the period of suspension, professor Eqbal Hussain, shall not leave the headquarters without prior approval of the competent authority,” it added.
