SC reserves judgement on Dr P Venugopal's petition

New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) The Supreme Court today reserved its judgement on the petition of former AIIMS director Dr P Venugopal, challenging the validity of AIIMS (Amendment Act 2007) fixing the retirement age of AIIMS Director at 65 and also fixing the maximum tenure of five years whichever is earlier.

A bench comprising Justices Tarun Chatterjee and H S Bedi reserved the judgement after the arguments were concluded.

According to Senior Counsel Arun Jaitley, appearing for the petitioner, the impugned amendment is a clear case of hostile discrimination targeting the petitioner.

He also contended that the sole aim of the amendment is to remove Dr Venugopal, an eminent Cardiologist from the post of Director, AIIMS.

According to the petitioner, if the impugned amendment is not quashed then Prof Venugopal will not be able to complete his tenure.

Dr Venugopal was removed as he was already 66 and Dr Dogra was appointed as acting Director of AIIMS, who is still continuing under the Supreme Court order as the government was directed not to make fresh appointment to the post till the final disposal of this petition.

Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss and Dr P Venugopal had been at loggerheads and the Health Ministry has been trying to remove Venugopal from the coveted post, which according to the petitioner is an attempt to humiliate the eminent surgeon of the country.

UNI SC DS RN1706