Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In compliance with the order of the honorable Madhya Pradesh High Court Indore Bench, Dr VP Pandey has assumed the charge as interim Dean of MGMMC (Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College), Indore on Friday (December 13).
The High Court’s order was issued on Thursday on the basis of the seniority of Dr Pandey, after the previous dean Dr Sanjay Dixit retired on November 30.
While hearing the case, Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla ruled that Dr VP Pandey would hold the position until the government makes a direct or regular appointment as he is the senior most professor in the institute.
The decision has been taken regarding an year-old (February 2023) controversy in which the government appointed deans in 18 medical colleges through a direct recruitment process, allegedly favouring junior doctors over more senior candidates.
Government free to appoint permanent dean
Later, the senior most professor Dr Pandey challenged the High Court decision. The issue gained urgency after Dr Sanjay Dixit, the previous dean of MGM Medical College, retired on November 30.
In the absence of a formal replacement, MY Hospital Superintendent Dr Ashok Yadav temporarily assumed the charge. The move was criticized by the court and questions were raised about how a junior doctor could oversee the confidential records of a senior.
The High Court’s order has clarified that while Dr Pandey will serve as interim dean, the state government remains free to appoint a permanent replacement.
