Dr Venugopal reassumes AIIMS charge after over five months

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) More than five months after he was unceremoniously removed as the Director of prestigious AIIMS, noted cardiac surgeon Dr P Venugopal today reassumed the office following a Supreme Court judgement, reinstating him on the post.

Dr Venugopal reassumed the charge of AIIMS Director this afternoon, barely few hours after a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court quashed the AIIMS Amendment Act, 2007, which sought to limit the tenure of the director of the institute to a maximum of five years or till they reach the retirement age of 65, whichever is earlier.

Following the passage of the Bill in Parliament, the Union Health Ministry immediately removed Dr Venugopal as director and appointed AIIMS Forensic Department Head Dr T D Dogra in his place on November 30 last year.

Dr Venugopal challenged the Act in the Supreme Court, saying it was introduced by the Government specifically with the intention of removing him from the post.

Dr Venugopal has been associated with AIIMS for 42 years and is over 66 years of age. He had been appointed to the post on July 3, 2003, and his five-year-term would come to an end on July two this year.

Dr Venugopal had got engaged in a bitter row with Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss over the running of AIIMS.

He was accompanied to the chair by resident doctors and faculty members who had supported him all along. Jubilant scenes were witnessed as doctors and students distributed sweets and flowers after Dr Venugopal reassumed the post.

UNI AG MSJ GC1813