Justice Suresh Kait, who first indicated that the plea could be transfered to a larger bench as it was akin to a PIL, later agreed to hear it on May 11.
During the brief hearing, the lawyers, appearing for petitioner NGO Indian Youth Minorities Association (IYMA) and the Centre, informed the court that another petition on same issue was listed for hearing on May 11.
The IYMA, in its petition, said Qazi, who became the Vice-Chancellor (VC) on October 13, 2008, attained the age of retirement on August 14 last year.
Qazi, however, continued to hold the post owing to an office order, issued on April 1, 2010, which modified the terms of appointment. The order said Qazi can remain VC for 5 years or till he attains the age of 70 years.
It also sought issuance of a notice to Qazi and others including the HRD Ministry and the University Grants Commission.
"Issue a notice to the respondents to show cause as to why the continuance of G N Qazi on the post of VC of Jamia Hamdard University beyond his age of 65 years and after August 18, 2011 be not declared illegal and without authority of law," it said.
The NGO, in its plea, also alleged that the UGC decision to enhance the VC's retirement age from 65 to 70 years can be operationalised only when the "rules, regulations, bye-laws of the Universities" are amended to that effect.
No such amendments have been made in the Memorandum of Association of Jamia Hamdard University while extending Qazi's tenure, it said.
