Allahabad HC quashes King George's Medical University associate professor's termination

LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday quashed the termination of an associate professor at King George's Medical University (KGMU) here, holding that a departmental inquiry against her was not in accordance with prescribed rules and principles of natural justice. Justice Pankaj Bhatia of the high court's Lucknow bench directed KGMU to reinstate Dr Neetu Singh and extend consequential service benefits to her, including payment of arrears of salary.

The case arose from disciplinary proceedings initiated against Singh in 2020, when she was working as associate professor (non-medical) at KGMU's Molecular Biology Laboratory.

Four charges were levelled against her, relating to a health project proposal, alleged intellectual property rights violations and plagiarism, among other issues. Following the inquiry, her services were terminated on June 10, 2020.

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Petition before Allahabad HC

She subsequently challenged the termination before the high court. While allowing her petition, the court observed that the procedure necessary to establish the charges had not been followed during the departmental inquiry. The inquiry committee, it noted, had reached its conclusions without properly proving or examining the oral and documentary evidence relied upon against Singh.

The court held that the termination order and the proceedings leading to it were arbitrary and contrary to law and accordingly quashed them.

However, the bench granted KGMU the liberty to initiate a fresh departmental inquiry from the stage of submission of Singh's reply. The court directed that the fresh inquiry be conducted in accordance with Rule 7 of the applicable Discipline and Appeal Rules.

The court further observed that if a legal expert is included in the reconstituted inquiry committee, Singh would also be entitled to avail herself of legal assistance during the proceedings.