IMPHAL, August 28: The Manipur High Court today reserved the former RIMS director Dr S Sekharjit’s challenge of his abrupt dismissal from his directorship, seeking a stay order on his unceremonious removal.
Prof. S Sekharjit Singh who was removed prematurely from the post of director, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), by an order of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (North East Section) issued on August 25, filed a case before the High Court of Manipur on August 27, seeking a stay of the order.
Sekharjit challenged that his removal was premature besides claiming the removal order failed to specify the actual reason for his removal. He pleaded the court to pass an interim order to stay the removal order.
Sekharjit’s case No. WP (C) No. 638 of 2014 was heard today wherein the court also served show cause notices to the respondents of the case returnable within four weeks.
It may be noted that in the order signed by a Deputy Secretary of the Ministry, Shekarjit was “relieved of his duty as director with immediate effect,” and that Prof. Chongtham Arunkumar was to take charge of the post.
The new director officially took charge of the post at 1 pm of August 26, at the RIMS administrative block.
Dr Sekharjit took charge as director of RIMS on September 14, 2010 and his tenure was to expire on September 13, 2015.
Chongtham Arunkumar is currently a professor of the Department of Orthopedics and hails from Singjamei Mathak Chongtham Leikai.
Sources anticipate that the removal of Sekharjit as director of RIMS could have been related with a case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Sekharjit on charges of corruption regarding irregularities in the supply of dental chairs and other misappropriations.
CBI also submitted the FIR copy to the District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East on May 23, 2014.
The non-bailable case bears number Criminal Miscellaneous case number 41 of 2014 reference RC number 6 (A) 2014/IMP under section 120-B, 420 of the Indian Penal Code, read with 13 (2)/13 (1) (D), Prevention of Corruption Act.
Other respondents in the case also include Dr Rajiv Ratna Singh who is professor of Dental College, chief accounts officer Elangbam Devendro, professor H Shanti Singh of Anesthesia department and Lal Gopal of M/S Mukherjee Enterprise, Thakur Road, Kolkotta.
Mukherjee Enterprise is the supplier of dental chairs.
The CBI represents the State as the petitioner in the case and sources said that more investigation is underway to frame a charge sheet against Dr. Sekharjit.
It may also be mentioned that there is another CBI case against former RIMS director, Prof. L Fimate.
The inaugural function was also attended by director, Arts and Culture, Dr K Sobita Devi and other high officials.