Govt to withdraw termination order of Venugopal

New Delhi, Aug 17: The Central Government today submitted before the Delhi High Court that it would withdraw the termination order served on AIIMS Director Dr P Venugopal, but levelled charges of irregularities and high handedness against him.

While extending the stay of his termination till November 7, Justice Anil Kumar asked Dr Venugopal to file rejoinder to the replies by the respondents by the next date of hearing.

''Without prejudice ... it has been decided to have a fresh look on the entire issue relating to resolution passed by the Institute Body on July 5 and also in view of the liberty granted by the division bench of the High Court on June 25, 2006,'' said Government Counsel Suresh Kait praying for dismissal of the petition.

The Government and the AIIMS alleged that more than 30 faculty members left the Institute because of autocratic manner of functioning by Dr Venugopal.

''Audit report objected to collection of Rs 30 crore from poor patients which is neither put to use nor refunded,'' said the government counsel.

However, Counsel Maninder Singh appearing for Dr Venugopal submitted that the money collected from the poor patients was being used for the benefits of patients.

The Election Commission in his reply said that the Court was not the right forum to seek direction for dismissal of Union Health Minister Ambumani Ramadoss for holding dual posts under the provision of the office of profit. On July 19, 2006, the Election Commission had received reference from the President of India for opinion on complaint filed by Mr Omesh Saigal alleging that Mr Ramadoss is holding an office of profit as President of AIIMS and the Commission was probing the matter, said the EC Counsel.

On the last date of hearing before the division bench, Senior Counsel Arun Jaitley appearing for Dr Venugopal said, ''The government wants to legitimise the action in the name of the court.

After the dismissal of the order, the Institute body might again take a decision to terminate him.'' Justice Anil Kumar on July 7 had stayed the move to terminate the job of Dr Venugopal on the ground that the intended action was "vitiated in law" and devoid of the principles of natural justice.

UNI