Jamia Millia Islamia cannot use courts as shield to get funds from UGC: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on Friday remarked that the Jamia Millia Islamia cannot use courts as a shield to get the money from University Grants Commission (UGC) [Prof. Sabiha Hussain v. Jamia Milia Islamia]..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad made the remarks while dismissing an application by the university to direct the UGC to release its funds for the Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women studies.“This Court is of the opinion that the aforesaid application is nothing but an attempt to circumvent the earlier order passed by this Court which was a consent order and, therefore, this Court does not find any reason to entertain the present application and the same is rejected,” the Court noted its order.The judges said that Jamia can take appropriate legal recourse and file a fresh petition if any money is due from the UGC..Jamia had moved an application in an already pending petition by a professor working as director of the Sarojini Naidu Centre. The professor had sought payment of her salary.The university said that her salary could not be paid because the UGC is yet to provide the aid either under the regular budget or under the ‘Development of Women Studies in Indian Universities’ scheme.It ,therefore, sought a direction from the Court to commission to release the funds which amount to nearly ₹6 crores..The Court, however, asked the counsel appearing for the University whether its Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and other officials were receiving their salaries. The counsel answered in affirmative.Chief Justice Sharma then remarked that if that is the case, then the university can sell its properties and pay the money to the professor or the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar should stop taking their salaries and pay the teacher first.The bench further noted that in the previous hearing, Jamia had made a categorical statement that it will pay all outstanding dues to the petitioner Professor and an assurance was also given that she will be paid her regular monthly payments as well..Senior Advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha along with advocates Srijan Sinha, Parul Dhurvey and Naveen Soni appeared for the petitioner professor. Jamia was represented through advocates Pritish Sabharwal and Sanjeet Kumar. Advocates BK Singh, Urvi Kashiwal and Hardik Ahluwalia appeared for UGC. .[Read Order]