Bombay HC directs appointment of new professor Cardiology at Grant Medical College

Bombay HC has issued a directive to the state government to appoint Narendra Bansal, earlier JJ Hospital head (cardiology) for the post of professor at the Grant Medical College. He is also to be appointed as the professor at the hospital.

The HC is reported to have put a stay on the cardiologist's shift to a Kolhapur hospital. In its final submission on the petition hearing, the court took in view Bansal’s view that the Kolhapur hospital is not recognised for PG teaching in DM cardiology.

Bansal is reported to have been suspended in May last year, after he allegedly examined a patient in private. However, the HC dismissed his suspension in March this year. The court also issued order redirecting his reinstatement at a suitable post.

Bansal's advocates Rafiq Dada and Ramesh Soni in their argument on the case pleaded that a review committee should be appointed to recommend Bansal as a unanimous choice for post in GMC as professor. The post has been vacant in Mumbai.

"No reasons have been given in the impugned order for not accepting the said recommendation," the bench said in its order.

The government's advocate said to TOI if Bansal is posted in Mumbai he may influence witnesses in the pending inquiry and also that there is a vacant post of professor in Kolhapur. The judges said the State's explanation "is not satisfactory" and the "question of influencing witnesses does not arise." They said keeping the post in Mumbai vacant will not be in the interest of students of GMC as well as patients. They directed the inquiry to be completed "expeditiously within three months."