As per the AIIMS Act, the acting director cannot hold the post for more than six months — in Dr Dogra’s case, the deadline gets over on January 2, 2009.

Besides Dr Deka, senior professors of AIIMS such as Dr R V Azad (Department of Opthomology and Dr G K Rath (radiation oncology) are among those considered for the post. Others who had applied for the post include Dr K K Talwar and Dr Kartar Singh of PGI Chandigarh, and Dr Jagdish Prasad, the medical superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital.

What happened when
May 8, 2008: Dr P Venugopal reinstated as AIIMS Director by the Supreme Court
July 2, 2008: Dr Venugopal retires; Dr TD Dogra appointed acting director
July 17, 2008: 17-member committee formed at Institute Body meeting to select next director
July 31, 2008: Selection committee holds first meeting.
August 18: Institute Body’s last meeting this year