AIIMS asks its Prof to withdraw his plea from CAT

In his petition in CAT, he had challenged the appointment of Dr Umesh Kapil, a professor of human nutrition, as the Head of the Department (HoD) by the then Director M C Mishra after former HoD Dr S K Acharya retired on October 31, 2016.

"Dr Saraya is further informed that his appointment as HoD of Gastroenterology, dated February 11, was conditional to withdrawal of the original application (OA) filed by him in the Principal Bench of Central Administrative Tribunal, New Delhi against the institute.

"He is, therefore, requested to withdraw the aforesaid OA within a period of two days from the date of issue of this office memorandum and intimate the same to the concerned authority," said a the letter issued by Senior Administrative Officer.

In his reply, Dr Saraya said "I am not interested in pursuing any litigative exercise against my own institute if an unambiguous and unconditional letter appointing me as the Head of the department as done in past and also in respect of other departments HoD is issued."

Taking a strong objection to the conditions in his last letter sent to AIIMS administration, he had said that such conditions were "illegal" and had sought fresh office memorandum related to his appointment saying the rider attached to the offer be removed.

The previous office memorandum issued to him had mentioned though Dr Kapil is being relieved from the responsibilities of the HOD, Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition unit, the Human Nutrition unit will be under his charge and that he will report directly to the Director.

Dr Saraya in his petition at CAT had questioned the eligibility of Dr Kapil being made the HoD saying the latter was not a qualified gastroenterologist and not even an MD (medicine).