Former AIIMS director alleges Quid pro Quo, favoritism in faculty hiring at AIIMS: Delhi HC asks Health Ministry to respond

A division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Harishankar heard the matter filed by a surgeon and former AIIMS director P Venugopal on Wednesday and slated it for hearing in February next year.

New Delhi: Responding to a petition filed by none other than former AIIMS director himself, the Delhi High Court has sought a response from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to the allegations of favouritism and ignorance of merit and seniority in the recruitment of faculty members in the hospital.

A division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Harishankar heard the matter filed by a Cardiovascular surgeon and former AIIMS director P Venugopal on Wednesday and slated it for hearing in February next year.

The 77-year old Padma Bhushan awardee in his PIL alleged that less meritorious candidates are being given preference in exchange of consideration and thereby lowering the standard of the institution and compromising the larger public interest.

He asserted that 'undue favour" is being given to less meritorious people by "bypassing the rules and granting of favours in exchange for quid pro quo" (an advantage granted in return for something).

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The petitioner added that it is lowering the standard of the institute and compromising the larger public interest. "This is affecting the ability and the morale of the faculty members to perform their functions to their fullest capability," stated Venugopal.

The petitioner also sought the intervention of the court for correct interpretation of the "Scheme for Direct Recruitment" at AIIMS and determination of the order of merit and seniority.

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He further sought directions to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and other authorities to determine the order of merit while directly recruiting medical faculty at AIIMS. Taking note of the plea, the court has asked both the centre as well as the hospital to file a response in the matter