High Court dose for Ramadoss, AIIMS chief stays for now

With Delhi High Court stepping in to stay his dismissal, AIIMS director Dr P Venugopal has won the first round in his fight with Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.

With Delhi High Court stepping in to stay his dismissal, AIIMS director Dr P Venugopal has won the first round in his fight with Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.

The AIIMS governing body, of which Ramadoss is president, had adopted a resolution dismissing Venugopal two days ago.

Venugopal had challenged the dismissal in a petition. Senior counsel Arun Jaitley appearing on his behalf.

Justice Anil Kumar, having heard arguments from both sides, and even an offer from the Centre for mutual parting of ways, delivered an interim order that the board decision will not stand.

The court has posted August 17 for the next hearing. It has also asked the Centre and Ramadoss to file replies on the petition in two weeks.

Besides, a notice has been issued to the Election Commission, as Venugopal has stated in his petition that the minister holds an office of profit as AIIMS president.

Jaitley8217;s argument was that 8220;ministerial jobs are not meant to create traffic-jams in the society,8221; and that the decision against Venugopal was an 8220;arbitrary act.8221;

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Appearing on behalf of AIIMS and the minister, additional solicitor-general Gopal Subramaniam said: 8220;It may be an unpleasant decision but was taken in the interest of AIIMS to see that the institute moves forward.8217;8217; He said there were instructions from the highest level in government that 8220;AIIMS autonomy will be completely safeguarded and protected.8221;

What emerged from his arguments was that the AIIMS governing body8217;s decision was prompted when 8220;the director failed to accede to the request to put in his papers put across by secretary, health and even senior-level IAS officers in the ministry.8221;

Jaitley submitted to the court that a difference of perception between the minister and the director is an impermissible ground to ask Dr Venugopal to quit and that the decision was 8220;based on whims and fancies of the minister.8221;

Meanwhile, after hearing of the court order, resident doctors and faculty members of AIIMS suspended the strike called to protest the move to sack Venugopal and returned to work.

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The decision to suspend the strike was taken at a general body meeting of the Resident Doctors Association, which met after court stayed the AIIMS board decision.