New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS): The Delhi High Court will Thursday hear a plea filed by Subha Kumar Dash, the suspended administrative officer of St. Stephen's College here.

Justice Hima Kohli before whom the matter was listed Wednesday, however, recused herself from hearing the matter as she had studied in the college.

The matter will come up for hearing in another court. Dash challenged the suspension order, saying it was illegal as it had been passed without the approval of the college's governing body.

The plea filed against the college and principal Valson Thampu said that Dash was suspended because he made allegations of irregularities in college administration.

Dash sought quashing of the suspension order issued by Thampu Dec 10. He also alleged that principal Valson Thampu had also pressurised him to convert to Christianity.

In the plea, Dash contended that the reason behind suspension was that he took open stance against the principal on various issues of mal-administration and harassment.

"The petitioner (Dash) was suspended by the principal on the ground that he had made 'defamatory allegations against the college administration'," said the plea.