Three whistleblower doctors wait for justice

Vineet Chaudhury,Joint Secretary,Health Ministry,said: “We do not ask state government to state reasons for surrendering the doctors. We are aware that they have moved court. We will be posting them to other locations since the state has surrendered them.”

Health Secretary J P Singh said that the matter was sub judice and hence could not be discussed.

Dr Vikas Rampal blew the lid off the cotton gauge scam in November 2006 while working for Sushruta Trauma Centre,associated with the Lok Nayak Hospital. In February 2007,the CBI had registered a case against him,accusing him of corruption in medical supplies. He was later discharged and CBI admitted in writing that “the company supplying medical equipments held a grudge against the concerned doctor”.

The second doctor — Sandeep Miglani — was transferred from Aruna Asaf Ali (AAA) Hospital soon after he returned a batch of sub-standard protein powder supplied to the hospital and recovered the money from the supplier March 2009. In April 2009,he was sent to Prashant Vihar dispensary. The third doctor,Surender Singh,worked as the store in-charge at AAA Hospital and sent back sub-standard medical equipment worth Rs 40 lakh.

Harvinder Oberoi,the complainants’ counsel,said: “The easiest way to harass government employees is to transfer them. How can the state government transfer employees who belong to Central government cadre?”

While in Miglani’s case,the Central Administrative Tribunal has issued contempt notice to Delhi Principal Secretary (Health),Dr Rampal and Dr Singh are waiting for the court to intervene. The next hearing is on Tuesday.