Medical Council president reinstated

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 4. A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court today reinstated Dr. Ketan Desai as president of the Medical Council of India (MCI).

The Bench, comprising Mr. Justice S.K. Mahajan, and Mr. Justice A.K. Sikri, stayed the operation of an interim order by a High Court Judge, Mr. Justice Vijender Jain, restraining Dr. Desai from holding the office.

Mr. Justice Jain, had, on May 28, asked Dr. Desai to vacate the office till election to the post, scheduled for June 21, was held.

The order was passed on a petition by Dr. Harish Bhalla, urging the court to direct Dr. Desai to quit his post on the ground that he could not continue as president while being an elected member of a body of the Gujarat University as the Act governing the working of the council barred a member from continuing in two capacities.

Mr. Justice Jain had directed Dr. B.C. Chhaparwal, MCI vice- president, to officiate in place of Dr. Desai. Thereafter, Dr. Desai and the Centre filed separate revision petitions before the Bench.

Taking a contrary view, they submitted that as per provisions of the council Act, the president and vice-president could continue in their posts for five years even if they were its members at the same time.

Admitting Dr. Desai's petition for hearing, the Bench issued notice to Dr. Bhalla for July 9. The elections for the posts of president and vice-president would be conducted as per schedule, the Bench ruled.

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