'Action against Venugopal subject to final verdict'

New Delhi, Oct 18: The Delhi High Court today said any action against All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director P Venugopal would be subject to the final verdict on the petition which is pending in the matter.

However, the court allowed today's crucial Institute body(IB) meeting to go ahead as scheduled.

Justice Anil Kumar said, ''Any decision of the IB would be subject to the final decision on the petition.'' The Court permitted the general body meeting to be held at 1100 hrs headed by Union Health Minister and Institute president Anbumani Ramadoss to take up discussion on various topics, including the mismanagement and alleged criticism by Dr Venugopal of the Health Minister for ''unduly intervening'' in the functioning of the premier health institute and an outbreak of dengue in the Capital.

Counsel for Dr Venugopal Maninder Singh said his client's stand stood vindicated as the court did not allow the IB to decide on action without substantiating the charges with facts and through due procedure of law.

UNI