Issuing notice to the DU, the college and Thampu on an appeal by St Stephens' former Vice Principal M S Frank, against the single judge's order, a bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice R S Endlaw sought their replies by September 11.
Upholding Thampu's appointment as the college principal, the single judge had on July 3 said the court will not interfere into the experts' decision on his selection.
Frank had challenged Thampu's appointment on the ground that he did not have a valid PhD degree, the minimum qualification for appointment. His plea, however, had been dismissed by the single judge after the University Grants Commission (UGC) clarified that it was a valid degree.
"This issue stands concluded by the clarification given by the UGC to the effect that the PhD degree awarded by the Allahabad Agriculture University (AAU) is valid. In view of the clarification, the writ petition does not warrant any interference.
"The decision taken by the experts, namely the UGC and the DU, to the effect that the respondent (Thampu) possesses the essential qualifications for the post of St Stephens College principal, is a decision which in my view ought to be left to the experts rather than to the court," the court had said.
Thampu was appointed as the St Stephens College principal by its selection committee on September 12, 2008 and Frank, the erstwhile vice-principal of the college had approached the high court in 2009 challenging the appointment.