Dr Tarannum Siddiqui Research Assistant & ORS. v. Jamia Millia Islamia Through Its Vice Chancellor & ORS.

$~69 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 5433/2025 and CM APPL. 24756/2025 DR TARANNUM SIDDIQUI RESEARCH ASSISTANT & ORS.

.....Petitioners Through:

Mr. Anil Nauriya, Ms. Sumita Hazarika and Mr. L. Kipgen, Advocates.

versus JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA THROUGH ITS VICE CHANCELLOR & ORS.

.....Respondents Through:

Mr. K.K. Mishra, ASC for R-1.

Ms. Shubhra Parashar and Mr.

Virender Pratap Singh Charak, Advocates for R-3.

Mr. Om Prakash, Advocate for R4.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN

O R D E R

% 28.04.2025 1.

The petitioners are non-teaching employees of Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women's Studies ["Centre"], Jamia Millia Islamia. They have filed this writ petition seeking merger of their services in the regular establishment of Jamia Millia Islamia University ["University"]. 2.

It is contended that the teaching staff of the Centre has already been merged with the establishment of the University, in the year 2019, with the consent of University Grants Commission ["UGC"]. 3.

By the impugned order dated 19.03.2025, however, the University has informed the petitioners that merger of the non-teaching staff is not possible, as the University's request in this regard has not been decided The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. W.P.(C) 5433/2025 Page 1 of 3

by UGC. A reference has been made to a communication of the UGC dated 18.04.2019, which states that until a final decision on this question is taken by UGC, the continuation of the non-teaching positions will be regulated under the specific scheme applicable to the Centre. The University has also referred to subsequent correspondence with the UGC, including communications dated 10.07.2024 and 09.12.2024, but has stated that the University awaits the decision of the UGC. 4.

Mr. K.K. Mishra, learned counsel for the University, upon instructions, states that the question of merger of non-teaching employees is held up only on this account.

5.

Mr. Anil Nauriya, learned counsel for the petitioners, makes it clear that the petitioners would be satisfied, at this stage, with a direction upon the UGC to consider the aforesaid issue expeditiously, and take a final decision within a given time frame. Mr. Nauriya also draws my attention to an order dated 14.12.2012 in W.P.(C) No. 7626/2011, which dealt with teaching employees of the Centre. The statement of UGC was recorded, to the effect that revised pay scale as per the Sixth Pay Commission recommendation was granted w.e.f. 01.01.2006 or from the date of joining. Learned counsel submits that similar relief may be considered by the authorities in respect of the non-teaching employees also, with regard to the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.

6.

Mr. Om Prakash, learned counsel for UGC, who appears on advance notice, submits that a final decision will be taken by UGC within a period of eight weeks from today and communicated to the University. 7.

Having regard to the long pendency of the matter at the end of the The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. W.P.(C) 5433/2025 Page 2 of 3

UGC, it is expected that UGC will adhere to this timeframe. 8.

The writ petition is disposed of in terms of this submission, reserving the rights and remedies of the petitioners in the event an adverse decision is taken.

9.

Pending application also stands disposed of.

PRATEEK JALAN, J APRIL 28, 2025 Uk/kb/ The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. W.P.(C) 5433/2025 Page 3 of 3