Supreme Court orders AIIMS Director Dr. Venugopal's reinstatement

New Delhi, May 8 : The Supreme Court's today ordered the reinstatement of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Venugopal, ten months after he was sacked by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.

Venugopal had challenged amendments made to the AIIMS Act in July 2006, by Ramadoss, which fixed the Director's retirement age at 65, and therefore lead to his removal.

The Supreme Court observed that AIIMS Amendment Act was flawed and therefore there should be no intervention in the autonomous institutions.

It also said that the Centre's decision to fix 65 as the upper age limit for the post of AIIMS Director was malafide in intent and was actually intended to remove a distinguished cardiologist like Dr. Venugopal from office.

As per the ruling, Dr. Venugopal will now remain in office till July 3 this year and enjoy all powers and privileges due to the director.

During a hearing on Dr. Venugopal's petition, senior advocate Manendra Singh said, "The amendment to the AIIMS Act pertaining to the fixation of upper age for the Director at 65 is discriminatory against the distinguished cardiologist and needs to be quashed."

The AIIMS Amendment Act was passed by the Parliament in August 2007.

ANI