Heigrujam Manglem Singh v. Jawahar Lal Nehru University And ANR
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ W.P.(C) 2291/2026 HEIGRUJAM MANGLEM SINGH .....Petitioner Through:
Mr. Shanker Raju and Mr. Nilansh Gaur, Advs.
versus JAWAHAR LAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY AND ANR .....Respondents Through:
Mr.
Parmanand Gaur Standing Counsel for R-2/UGC with Mr.
Vibhav Mishra & Ms. Megha Gaur, Advocates.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA
O R D E R
% 18.02.2026 CM APPL. 11057/2026 (for seeking exemption from filing copies) 1.
Exemption is granted, subject to all just exceptions. 2.
The Applicant shall file legible and clearer copies of exempted documents, compliant with practice rules, before the next date of hearing. 3.
Accordingly, the application stands disposed of. W.P.(C) 2291/2026 4.
The Petitioner was appointed as an Assistant Archivist in Jawaharlal Nehru University in the Grade Pay of ₹4200. It is contended that the 7th Central Pay Commission, in paragraph 11.11.17 of its recommendations, recommended upgradation of the post of Assistant Archivist in the National The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
Archives corresponding to Grade Pay ₹4600 and placement in Pay Level-7 of the Pay Matrix with effect from 01st January, 2016. The National Archives of India thereafter implemented the said recommendations and granted Pay Level-7 to its Assistant Archivists. 5.
The Petitioner claims to be identically situated with his counterparts serving as Assistant Archivists in the National Archives. Upon his representations seeking parity, JNU constituted a Committee to examine the issue, which is stated to have opined in favour of the Petitioner and recommended that the proposal be forwarded to the University Grants Commission for its consideration/approval as to whether Assistant Archivists in JNU may also be granted Pay Level-7 with effect from 01st January, 2016. Reliance is placed on a communication dated 12th January, 2024 issued by JNU to the UGC. It is submitted that the said proposal remains pending and no decision has been communicated till date. 6.
In the aforesaid circumstances, this Court is of the opinion that, at the first instance, the University Grants Commission ought to take a considered decision on the proposal forwarded by JNU, which is stated to be pending consideration.
7.
Accordingly, the present petition is disposed of with a direction to the University Grants Commission to take a decision on the recommendations forwarded by JNU vide communication dated 12th January, 2024. While doing so, the UGC shall also consider the grounds urged by the Petitioner in the present writ petition. A reasoned and speaking order shall be passed within a period of six weeks from today and be duly communicated to the Petitioner.
8.
It is clarified that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
merits of the claim and all rights and contentions of the parties are left open. In the event the Petitioner remains aggrieved by the decision so taken, he shall be at liberty to avail appropriate remedies in accordance with law. SANJEEV NARULA, J FEBRUARY 18, 2026/hc The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.