HC Resolves Principal Dispute at Govt Dental College Indore, Dr Alka Gupta Assumes Charge
Indore: In a significant development, the ongoing dispute over the principal position at the Government Dental College in Indore has been resolved, with the high court ruling in favour of Dr Alka Gupta.
The dispute arose after the state government issued an order on January 8 appointing Dr Alka Gupta as the new principal. Dr Sandhya Jain, who had been working as the principal, was replaced by Dr Gupta, a professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at the Government College of Dentistry in Indore.
However, confusion emerged regarding the recruitment when Dr Jain challenged the government order in the high court, arguing that she had not officially handed over the charge, reports The Daily. Despite this, Dr. Gupta assumed the position on January 9, citing the state directive. The situation became more contentious when the court ordered a status quo on January 10, but both doctors continued to assert their claims to the role.
Dr. Jain and Dr. Gupta have been functioning as principals from separate rooms, creating operational disruptions. Dr. Jain maintained that she remains the rightful principal, as she never relinquished her duties. On the other hand, Dr. Gupta asserts that her appointment followed proper procedures. The court has rejected Dr Sandhya Jain's challenge against Dr Gupta's appointment, emphasizing that retaining Dr. Jain in the role would hinder equitable governance due to an ongoing investigation involving her spouse, former principal Dr. Deshraj Jain, reports Free Press Journal.
In its ruling, the court clarified that while Dr. Gupta will assume the responsibilities of principal, she will not be responsible for assessing Dr. Jain’s annual performance. The high court resolved the dispute and confirmed Dr. Gupta as the principal after hearing the matter on January 16 and announcing its ruling on January 17. Dr Gupta later assumed the charge after pandits performed rites and chanted Vedic mantras.
Subsequently, Dr. Gupta had Dr. Jain's nameplate removed from the office. Dr. Gupta holds an M.D.S. in Prosthodontics from the Government College of Dentistry, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, USA.
