SC reinstates Venugopal as AIIMS director

Within hours of the verdict, 66-year-old Venugopal resumed charge at AIIMS. "I have always served the institute and will continue to do so for the time given to me", he said in a brief statement signed as AIIMS director.

Earlier, giving his initial reaction to the court verdict through a resident doctor, Venugopal said "the decision has thwarted the game-plan carried out in Parliament".

 

Venugopal, whose tenure ends on July 2, had challenged an amendment to the AIIMS Act that fixed the upper age of retirement of director at 65, a step that forced him to relinquish office.

A Bench of Justice Tarun Chatterjee and Justice HS Bedi upheld the appeal filed by Venugopal challenging the impugned law as being discriminatory and malafidely brought to superannuate him.

Ramadoss and Venugopal were engaged in a turf war for control of the reputed institute.

Seizing the opportunity to put the government on the mat following the court verdict, the BJP demanded the resignation of the health minister.

"If Ramadoss does not resign, Prime Minister Manmohan should dismiss him," said party leader Sushma Swaraj. Putting up a brave face, Ramadoss rejected calls for his resignation saying the government's decision was endorsed by Parliament.