Suspended health dept Head to be reinstated, Delhi govt tells CAT: Report

New Delhi: The Delhi Government has informed the Central Administrative Tribunal of its decision to reinstate Dr Vandana Bagga as the Director of Delhi's Health and Family Welfare Department, the Hindustan Times has reported.

Medical Dialogues had reported last year, in January, that the Lt Governor of Delhi, V K Saxena, had ordered the suspension of Dr. Bagga, the Director of the Health and Family Welfare Department, while specifying that a disciplinary proceeding was being contemplated against the doctor.

Issuing an order in this regard on 07.01.2025, the Delhi Governor further clarified that during the period that the doctor would remain suspended, she would not be allowed to leave the headquarters without obtaining the permission of the Competent Authority.

Reportedly, LG VK Saxena had ordered the suspension of Dr. Bagga on the recommendation of the then Health Secretary, who said that she had become a "stumbling block" for every scheme of the department.

Also Read: Delhi Governor Suspends Health Dept Head, Latter Calls it 'Arbitrary'

Earlier, the CAT had quashed the suspension as a violation of the model code of conduct that was in effect at the time. Later, the Delhi Government had appealed against the CAT order before the Delhi High Court, which had ordered a stay on the said order. Challenging this, Dr. Bagga moved the Supreme Court, which ruled in her favour. Subsequently, she filed an application at the Tribunal seeking the execution of the SC order.

As per the latest media report by the Hindustan Times, Dr. Bagga's lawyer, Abhijit Mishra, told the Daily that during a hearing on Friday, the Delhi Government informed the tribunal of its decision to reinstate her. "The government of NCT of Delhi, through deputy secretary of department of Health and Family Welfare, GNCTD, has made a statement before CAT that the file for reinstatement of Dr Vandana Bagga as director DFW is with the lieutenant governor (LG) and within a week the compliance of the order dated December, 4, 2025 of the CAT would be met," Dr. Bagga's lawyer told HT.

Commenting on the matter, Health Minister Pankaj Singh told the Daily, "Currently we are waiting for the court’s order, following which necessary action will be taken on the matter."

Meanwhile, the CAT on Wednesday stayed the LG's order to transfer Dr. Vatsala Aggarwal from the post of DGHS Delhi and replace her with the medical superintendent of Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital.

An official from the Delhi Government, who is aware of the matter, said, "The interim order that was passed by the CAT has been challenged by the government in the Delhi HC, which is listed for Monday. Further, the CAT in today’s hearing adjourned the matter for July 10 and stated that the interim order will be continued."