The functions of the three-member panel nominated for the appointment of Dhaka University amid protest from a quarter of students have been stayed by the Supreme Court.

The Appellate Division of the SC also allowed Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique to continue his duties as the vice-chancellor until the disposal of the High Court rule issued over legality of the senate meeting that formed the VC panel on July 29.

It asked the HC to hear and dispose of the rule by four weeks.

A three-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order during the hearing of an appeal, filed by Dhaka University authorities challenging the High Court order that had stayed the senate meeting.

Following a writ petition, the HC on July 24 stayed the process for holding a special general meeting of DU senate which was scheduled to be held on July 29 for electing a three-member panel to appoint a new vice-chancellor.

It also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain why the DU's move to hold a special general meeting of DU senate without forming its full-fledged senate should not be declared illegal.

Following a petition filed by DU authorities, the SC chamber judge on July 27 stayed the HC order, allowing the authorities to hold the meeting on July 29 and forwarded the matter to its full bench.

Current VC AAMS Arefin Siddique is a member of the three-man panel formed on July 29. A section of students had protested outside the gates of senate building on that day demanding the presence of student representatives in the senate panel.

Prof Arefin's term will end on August 24.

Advocate Abdul Matin Khasru appeared for DU, while Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud argued for the writ petitioners.