AIIMS Resident doctors celebrate SC verdict on Dr Venugopal

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) Welcoming the Supreme Court judgement reinstating ousted institute Director Dr P Venugopal, AIIMS Resident doctors today demanded immediate resignation of Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.

''It is a vital judgment. This is a day to celebrate since once again the truth wins over evil and everyone who is fighting for truth should continue doing this,'' AIIMS Resident Doctors Association president Dr Kumar Harsh said in a statement here.

''Satya pareshaan ho sakta hai parajit nahi (Truth cannot be defeated),'' he added.

''It is the time to salute the Supreme Court. Our faith in judiciary is getting stronger,'' Dr Harsh said.

The doctors also demanded the Health Minister's resignation following the Apex Court verdict.

''Dr Ramadoss is responsible for the entire fiasco. He should resign immediately,'' Resident Doctors Association spokesperson Kaushal Kant Mishra said.

A Supreme Court bench of Justices Tarun Chatterjee and H S Bedi upheld the appeal filed by Dr Venugopal, challenging an amendment to the AIIMS Act that fixed the upper age of retirement of Director at 65 years.

The Apex Court quashed as unconstitutional the AIIMS (Amendment) Act, which fixed the retirement age of the AIIMS Director at 65 years and the maximum tenure 5 years, whichever earlier.

The bench said the entire act was brought in to target the petitioner and also accepted Dr Venugopal's contention that it was a case of hostile discrimination towards him.

UNI AG MSJ HT1642