HC takes govt,health secy to task

Bhardwaj,who is facing molestation charges levelled by a student,had been suspended after registration of the case against him,but was later reinstated.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Rajeev Sharma made strong observations against Dr Bhardwaj and asked Principal Secretary (Health) P C Dhiman why he (Bhardwaj) was posted back to the college.

The court had summoned Dhiman for contempt of court,as it had earlier allowed to reinstate Bhardwaj only on the condition that he would not be sent back to the dental college where at least six students had deposed against him during the inquiry. The students now fear threat to their careers. Dr Bhardwaj’s wife Ashu Bhardwaj is principal of the college.

Dr Yogesh Bhardwaj,head of the maxillofacial surgery department,was the guide of the PG student who had accused him of molesting her.

Taking a tough stand against the professor,the bench questioned Dhiman why was the court “taken for a ride” and whether he (Dhiman) was misguided or if there was a miscommunication somewhere. More serious remarks followed during the proceedings when the court referred to the complaint sent by some students about certain actions of Bhardwaj after he was posted back in the college.

“This person does not deserve to be in the service,” said the court and asked the health secretary how the government had allowed things to go on this way in the college,with the Dental Council of India,the court and students all being “hoodwinked”.

Granting relief to the PG student,the judges directed the government to provide a special guide to her,besides asking the university to postpone the examinations of maxillofacial surgery for three weeks and complete inquiry against Dr Bhardwaj within a month.

The court,however,accepted Dhiman’s apology and also his offer to initiate measures to arrange guides for other students and put things in order at the college. The proceeding of contempt of court were dropped.

Later in the day,the government cancelled Bhardwaj’s posting order to the college and attached him at the office of director,medical education.