Private practice by medical college teachers contempt of HC

Allahabad, May 6 (UNI) In a significant order, a division bench of the Allahabad High Court today directed the Uttar Pradesh government that any Medical College teacher found engaged in private practice -- directly, indirectly or through proxy -- will not only be subjected to disciplinary measure, but also considered to be in contempt of the HC order of March 31, 2006.

Passing this order, a division bench, comprising of Justice Sunil Ambawani and Justice Dilip Gupta, directed the principal of Medical College (MC), Meerut to obtain fresh affidavits from the teachers of the MC for not doing private practice.

The Court in its order said, '' Any MC teacher, who does not comply with the orders and candidates of undertaking, shall be taken to have committed contempt of the court.'' On March 31, 2006, the HC had issued directions to the teachers of the MC, Meerut, bound by their service rules, not to engage in private practice and attend the duties assigned to them in the hospital by the principal of the College.

They were also directed to declare whether they, their spouse, their parents, children or other close relatives own hospital, nursing homes, diagnostic centers, clinics of medical facilities at Meerut.

The Court had also directed that if such affidavits were not listed, the principal of the Lala Lajpat Rai National (LLRN) MC shall personally present self in the Court on May 12, 2006. However, when the case was taken up on April 25, 2008, the state government counsel informed that these affidavits were given but could not be filed.

The Court will now hear this case on May 16, 2008. The Court has also directed chief standing counsel M C Chaturvedi to file affidavit of compliance on the fixed date. The Court passed this order on a writ petition filed by Dr V K Goel, who had challenged the order on March 20, 2006 by which he was suspended for doing private practice.

UNI VCP JAS KD DB2134