New Delhi: In the midst of a battle between Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss and AIIMS Director P Venugopal, the Centre was on Wednesday directed by the Delhi High Court to file a reply on a PIL challenging his appointment as Director.
A Division Bench headed by Justice MK Sharma also granted two weeks time to Venugopal to file his reply on the PIL filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), which his counsel Arun Jaitley alleged was motivated and
inspired by the government.
The PIL assumes significance in the context of the recent controversy against the backdrop of the Institute’s Governing Council's recommendation to remove Venugopal, which the Court had stayed.
The PIL filed by CPIL through counsel Prashant Bhusan had alleged that Venugopal's appointment made in 2003 for a six-year term was illegal as the Director was due for his superannuating in 2007.
It was contended that Venugopal's six year term would extend up to 2009 two years beyond the age of his superannuation.
Further the petition complained that Venugopal was not entitled to hold the dual posts - as Director of the Institute and Head of the Department of Cardio Thorasic Surgery.
In fact, the petition was filed in May this year but at that time the Centre sought time to file reply.
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