St Stephen’s goes ahead with hirings despite DU probe

New Delhi: The controversy surrounding appointments at St Stephen’s College has escalated, with the institution going ahead with the joining of newly appointed teachers despite Delhi University (DU) directing it to refrain from issuing appointment letters pending an inquiry into alleged recruitment irregularities.

According to an examination duty roster seen by TOI, several newly recruited teachers have already joined and have been assigned invigilation duties, even as a university-appointed probe is underway.

DU Executive Council, its highest decision-making body, had in its last meeting on April 29 announced the constitution of a committee to examine alleged violations in the recruitment process and asked the college not to issue appointment letters until the inquiry is completed.

Committee member Aman Kumar told TOI, “The panel will look into the matter and issue show cause notices for violations. We will seek data on appointments and recommend strict action if irregularities are found.”

The controversy centres around the shortlisting criteria adopted by the college, with council members flagging that nearly 70 candidates were shortlisted for each unreserved vacancy — far exceeding DU norms, which prescribe a maximum of 40 candidates for the first vacancy and 20 for subsequent ones.

Data released by the college on May 9 has further added to the row, showing that 16 out of the 25 unreserved assistant professor posts were filled by Christian candidates, prompting allegations of preferential selection.

The recruitment process has been challenged in Delhi High Court by at least six ad hoc teachers who were displaced and not regularised despite years of service at the college. In separate hearings earlier this week, the court granted interim relief to all the petitioners, directing that their services not be discontinued until the next hearing on Oct 5. The court has also issued a notice to the college.

In their plea, the petitioners have argued that they are duly qualified teachers with long years of service and strong academic records who were denied fair consideration. They have alleged that the college shortlisted as many as 70 candidates per vacancy — a move they claim diluted the cut-off criteria and enabled the selection of candidates with comparatively lower academic scores and limited teaching experience.

“The case is basically lying on three tenets… these are highly qualified candidates who have served the college for more than a decade and have been given extensions every year, establishing their merit. They have unblemished academic records and are entitled to regularisation. They should not have to appear for fresh appointments,” Monica Arora, counsel for the petitioners and a DU Executive Council member, told TOI.

“Secondly, the college in its advertisement for the posts said that selections will be solely based on interviews. This is totally illegal. Keeping interviews as the basis leaves room for arbitrariness and favouritism,” she said.

“Third, as against the prescribed criteria for calling 40, 20 and 20 candidates for each post, they called nearly 70 per vacancy — deliberately to lower the criteria and admit people they want, replacing highly qualified candidates,” she added.

The petitioners have sought directions restraining the college from terminating, replacing, or otherwise discontinuing their services pending adjudication of the case.

Responding to queries, DU registrar Vikas Gupta told TOI, “The matter is already in court and the petitioners have been provided interim relief from displacement.”

On the issue of the college not having a principal after the outgoing principal John Varghese’s second term ended in Feb 2026, the registrar said, “According to university rules, the senior-most professor can head the college as officiating principal in such circumstances until a regular appointment is made. The college should send names for this, which has not been done.”

TOI reached out to Paul Swarup, Bishop of Delhi and chairman of the college’s governing body, for comment, but received no response.