Justice K.G. Shankar of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday permitted the government to go ahead with the process of selecting a new Director for the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) but said the present incumbent Dharma Rakshak should not be disturbed.
Petition filed
The judge was dealing with a writ petition filed by Dr. Dharma Rakshak, who said though he was selected through a search committee, it was being projected as if he was appointed under ad hoc arrangement.
His term as per statute was till September this year, but the government was going ahead and calling for applications and appointing a search committee.
If the new appointment was made, he would be put to loss.
The State government told the court that there was controversy on whether or not his initial appointment was as per the clause permitting ad hoc arrangement or through a proper procedure like recommendation made by a search committee.
The judge said the case would be listed on June 4 before the regular Bench and the order to continue the present incumbent would operate till June 7 or till further orders passed by the court.
Stay on CID probe
The A.P. High Court on Wednesday stayed the ongoing CID investigation into the affairs of Jubilee Hills Housing Cooperative Society for a period of four weeks. The case was filed 14 years ago.
The interim orders were passed by Justice K.C. Bhanu following a writ petition filed by the society complaining that the police were harassing the management. It was averred that investigation into alleged irregularities had been continuing for the last 14 years and that the documents sought by the CID were given.
The petitioner lamented that two weeks ago, police came in large numbers and created a scene. A direction to quash the case was also sought by the petitioner. Justice Bhanu last week called for the response of the police.
On Wednesday, it was noticed by the court that after 14 years, investigation was still progressing slowly and the judge felt that further proceedings could be stayed for four weeks and directed the respondents to file counter-affidavits.
