Today, On 18th August, The Supreme Court raised concerns over the appointment of Naima Khatoon as AMU Vice-Chancellor, remarking, “Husband’s participation in wife’s appointment raises doubts,” stressing that decisions must not only be done properly but also be seen as proper.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court raised concerns about the appointment of Professor Naima Khatoon as the first female Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.
The justices pointed out that her husband, Professor Mohd. Gulrez, who was the officiating Vice-Chancellor at the time, participated in the Executive Council meeting that recommended her for the position.
Justice K Vinod Chandran of the Supreme Court recused himself today from hearing a petition that challenges the appointment of Professor Naima Khatoon as the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
The case was scheduled before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, Justice Chandran, and Justice NV Anjaria.
Justice Chandran noted that he served as the Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) during the appointment of Professor (Dr.) Faizan Mustafa as its Vice Chancellor.
Mustafa is also one of the petitioners contesting Khatoon’s appointment as AMU VC and was included in the shortlist for the position.
Justice Chandran stated,
“I was the chancellor of CNLU when I selected Faizan Mustafa … so I can recuse,”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed confidence in Justice Chandran’s impartiality, stating that no recusal was necessary.
However, Chief Justice Gavai responded,
“Let my brother decide. List this case before a bench of which Justice Chandran is not a part of.”
Earlier this year, the Allahabad High Court upheld the appointment of Khatoon as Vice-Chancellor of AMU. The petitioners contested her appointment, claiming that her husband, Professor Mohd Gulrez, who was acting Vice-Chancellor at the time, had presided over key Executive Council meetings that recommended her name.
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The High Court ruled that her selection was made by the Visitor, against whom no bias allegations were raised. Today, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued that such appointments raise concerns about the future.
Sibal stated,
“She will get only 6 votes if 2 votes are excluded. It is only because of VC vote in the executive committee and there was another. If you take these two out, then she is out,”
He clarified that he was not seeking a stay but insisted the matter warranted further examination.
He added,
“There cannot be a better case than this on facts than this,”
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati described Khatoon’s appointment as historic.
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She noted,
“This is historic. She is the first woman VC. This is part selection and part election. The High Court did not agree to our election arguments but the court did uphold her appointment,”
CJI Gavai commented that Professor Gulrez should not have participated in the selection process.
Justice Gavai remarked,
“Ideally the Vice Chancellor should not have taken part and let the senior-most be part of it. See, when we are also taking collegium decisions if such a thing happens, we also recuse,”
CJI Gavai said,
“Normally, even when we sit in the collegium, when a junior from the bar is under consideration, we also recuse….Certainly, the husband’s participation when the wife’s name is under consideration, it raises doubts. It is said that things should not only be done properly but also be seen to be done properly,”
With Justice Chandran stepping back from the case, it will now be scheduled before a different bench.
Case Title: Muzaffar Uruj Rabbani v. Union of India, SLP (C) No. 19209/2025