In 2006, when Thampu joined as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of the college, he did not have a PhD degree — a primary requirement to hold the post. But, on December 20, 2007, Thampu produced a PhD certificate in Theology, a subject that is not taught in the University, Aditya Narayan Mishra, DUTA president, said.

“He procured the degree from Allahabad Institute of Agriculture without even enrolling himself for two years, which is the rule,” said Mishra in a press conference in Connaught Place.

Mishra's allegations come nearly a month after Thampu had issued showcause notices to two teachers in the college's History department for indulging in "anti-principal talks" in the classroom.

Mishra said the showcause notices to the two teachers — Tasneem Suhrawardy and Sangeeta Luthra Sharma —on January 9 was a “a senseless act of desperation springing out of his attempt to cover up the illegality of his own appointment”.

The teachers said the action taken against them was a result of “personal, partisan and petty considerations”.

Tasneem alleged the “reproach might have been aimed” at her as her brother, Anis Suhrawardy, a Supreme Court advocate, is counsel for the petitioner who has challenged Thampu's position as principal.

DUTA has now demanded that Thampu give a written apology to the two teachers. The teachers' body has also asked DU Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental to remove Thampu from the principal's post.

“In an affidavit sent to us by the V-C, he had mentioned that Thampu's appointment is “patently illegal and violative of University ordinances and cannot be continued. We want him to be removed,” Mishra said.