Stay on NIPER chief’s suspension to continue

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 14

Just over a month after the services of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Director, Prof Raghuram Rao Akkinepally, were placed under suspension by the President, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today ordered the continuation of stay on the operation of the order.

Taking up the petition challenging the suspension order dated October 29, Justice Arun Monga also fixed January 10 as the next date of hearing in the matter. Justice Monga also issued a notice on another application filed by a respondent for the vacation of stay.

Senior advocate Puneet Bali and Arun Gupta had earlier submitted that a Single Judge issued a notice of motion but declined the prayer for staying the operation of an earlier order of suspension passed on September 24. A Division Bench, however, stayed its operation. But a day prior to the listing of the appeal, the present order of suspension was passed. Adverting to the impugned order dated October 29, Bali and Gupta submitted that the suspension was ordered in pursuance to a show-cause notice issued on August 6 by the Union Deputy Secretary.

 The impugned order of suspension dated October 29, on the other hand, was passed under the orders of the “visitor” in ostensible exercise of the powers vested under the provisions of the NIPER Act.  The counsel said the President of India, being the “visitor” of the institute, had the power to hold inquiries into affairs, take action and issue directions he considers necessary in respect of any matter concerning the institute.

  They added that the order was not sustainable as the initiation of proceedings by virtue of issuance of a show-cause notice was not in the hands of the competent authority — the “visitor”.