$~61 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + LPA 26/2026, CM APPL. 3544, CM APPL. 3545/2026, CM APPL. 3546/2026 & CM APPL. 3547/2026 PROF EQBAL HUSSAIN .....Appellant Through: Mr. Ankur Chibbor, Mr. Advait Ghosh & Mr. Parthiv Ghosh, Advocates. versus JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA AND ORS .....Respondents Through: Mr. Pritish Sabharwal- Standing Counsel with Ms. Shweta Singh, Mr. Sanjeet Kumar & Mr. Shiv Chopra, Advocates for Respondent No.1/Jamia Millia Islamia University. Ms. Monika Arora- CGSC along with Ms. Rupali Sinha-GP for Respondent No.3/UoI. CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TEJAS KARIA O R D E R % 21.01.2026 1. Heard the learned Counsel for the Parties. 2. Mr. Pritish Sabharwal, learned Standing Counsel representing Respondent No. 1 / Jamia Millia Islamia University has tendered an order dated 20.01.2026 passed by Respondent No. 1 / Jamia Millia Islamia University whereby suspension of the Appellant has been revoked. The said order dated 20.01.2026 is taken on record. 3. Having regard to the fact that the disciplinary proceedings against the Appellant are still pending, we provide that till the conclusion of the proceedings, the Appellant shall not discharge the functions of the Estate Officer, however, he shall discharge all his academic and teaching functions. This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 23/01/2026 at 12:16:34 4. It is also to be noted that the departmental proceedings against the Appellant were instituted on suspension on 06.09.2024. More than one-and- a-half-year period has lapsed but inquiry proceedings are still pending. Such prolonged inquiry is neither in the interest of the employees nor the employer. 5. Accordingly, we direct that inquiry / disciplinary proceedings against the Appellant shall be concluded within a period of six weeks from today. 6. This Order shall be communicated by the learned Counsel representing Respondent No. 1 / Jamia Millia Islamia University or to the authorities concerned without waiting for certified copy. 7. The Appeal stands disposed of. DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, CJ TEJAS KARIA, J JANUARY 21, 2026/ ‘A’ This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 23/01/2026 at 12:16:34