SC notices over appeals filed by AIIMS, Venugopal

New Delhi, May 7: The Supreme Court today issued notices on cross appeals filed both by AIIMS and Professor P Venugopal, director of AIIMS, both challenging Delhi High Court judgement.

AIIMS has challenged the High Court judgement permitting Venugopal to continue as director of the institute while Venugopal had challenged the same order questioning his removal as head of the department of cardiology.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran issued notices on both the petitions to Venugopal, Union Health Ministry, AIIMS and Union Health Minister, A Ramadoss who is the President of AIIMS.

The High Court in its impugned judgement had held that Venugopal could not continue in both the posts at the same time. The High Court had permitted Venugopal to continue as Director but has directed him to quit the post of Head of department of Cardiology.

Venugopal has challenged this part of the order contending that he was not an ordinary employee of the institute and only the governing body which has appointed him can decide on the issue of his holding dual posts.

AIIMS has, however, challenged the High Court order permitting Venugopal to continue as director on the grounds that it is for the institute and not for the High Court to decide on which post he will continue.

UNI