Former RIMS Director Moves HC over Dismissal
Ranchi: Former Director of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, Dr. Rajkumar, has approached the Jharkhand High Court seeking justice after his abrupt removal from the post. In his petition, he has strongly contested the allegations that led to his removal, calling them entirely baseless and unjust.
This came after Dr Shashibala Singh was appointed as the interim director of the RIMS, Ranchi. The decision was made by the RIMS governing council, and an official notification confirming Dr Singh’s appointment was issued on Friday.
According to Daily Pioneer, Dr. Rajkumar stated that if he had been asked to step down during the RIMS Governing Council meeting or even afterwards, he would have resigned immediately without any hesitation. However, he said the manner in which he was accused and humiliated left him with no option but to turn to the judiciary for redress. He maintained that he has always acted with integrity and never indulged in any wrongdoing or financial impropriety during his tenure.
Expressing disappointment over the process that led to his removal, Dr. Rajkumar claimed he was not given any opportunity to present his side or submit any evidence in his defense. “I was not even given time to present my point of view. I did not get time to present proof,” he said, adding that he could not accept such serious charges being made against him without being heard. Dr. Rajkumar emphasized that he is not prepared to accept the allegations without a fight and has therefore taken the matter to court. According to him, his petition includes several documents and pieces of evidence in support of his claims, reports the Daily.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that within a few months of being appointed as the Director of RIMS, Ranchi, Dr Raj Kumar has been recently removed from his position on the grounds of negligence in fulfilling his duties, delay in departmental work, and failure to follow government instructions. The decision was taken by the governing council of the institute, which recommended his removal to the state health department.
According to the removal order, Dr Kumar did not meet the institutional goals as outlined under the RIMS Act of 2002. He was relieved of his duties with immediate effect under Rule 9 (vi) of the RIMS Rules, 2002, and will be provided with three months' salary as per the provision. Dr Kumar had been appointed for a three-year term beginning January 31, 2024, with the approval of the state government.
