Supreme Court begins final hearing in Venugopal’s case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday began the final hearing on the petition filed by renowned cardiologist Dr P Venugopal...

The Supreme Court on Wednesday began the final hearing on the petition filed by renowned cardiologist Dr P Venugopal challenging his removal as AIIMS director, after the Centre managed to pass an amendment in the existing statute governing AIIMS, fixing 65 years as the upper age limit for the post.

Appearing before the Bench headed by Justice Tarun Chaterjee, senior advocate Arun Jaitley initiated the arguments on behalf of Dr Venugopal. He alleged how an amendment to the AIIMS Act was brought about by the Centre with the sole purpose of removing the distinguished cardiologist.

“The amendment to the AIIMS Act pertaining to fixing the upper age for the director at 65 is discriminatory against the distinguished cardiologist and needs to be quashed,” he argued.

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He contended that the Act was illegal as the High Court had in March last year okayed his continuance on the post. While the matter was pending in the apex court, the Centre brought about an amendment to the Act, abruptly ending his services, he pointed out.

Earlier, on December 3 last, the apex court had expressed displeasure over the removal of the director and described it as “unfortunate”.

“Why was such a reputed person humiliated in this way,” the court asked and questioned the motive behind bringing about an amendment to the AIIMS Act when Venugopal’s tenure as director was coming to an end in six months.

The court, however, had expressed “difficulty” in staying the operation of the law passed by Parliament. The centre, on the other hand, had defended the legislation saying that malice could not be attributed to Parliament for making the law as it was a policy and not discrimination against any individual.

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