Initiating a vigilance inquiry into charges of mismanagement against Padmashree awardee Dr Jagdish Prasad, the Health Ministry on Friday removed the doctor from the post of medical superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital and principal of its medical college.

As reported earlier this week, Dr Prasad had been booked for defrauding two disabled persons of Rs 22.5 lakh. An FIR in this regard was lodged with Sarojini Nagar police on August 28.

Additional Medical Superintendent Dr K T Bhowmik, a senior consultant in the radiotherapy department, will “temporarily” take charge from Dr Prasad at the Safdarjung Hospital, it was announced. Dr V K Sharma, vice-principal of Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College, will take over as the hospital medical college’s chief from Monday, Health ministry officials said.

“All cases of mismanagement and corruption have been referred to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), while temporary arrangements have been made to take care of the responsibilities of the medical superintendent and principal,” a senior official in the ministry said.

The official said the ministry was yet to initiate disciplinary action against the high-ranking doctor. “An inquiry has been started and we will initiate disciplinary action only after it has been completed,” the official said. “Dr Prasad has not been suspended — we have just called him back to headquarters,” said the source.

Dr Prasad will continue in his post as the additional director general at the Health ministry, the official added.

Incidentally, Dr Prasad’s replacement Dr Bhowmik is himself under the CVC scanner for misapplication of funds meant for cancer drugs. The matter is being investigated by Dr Shiv Lal, additional director general with the Health ministry. “Faculty members will oppose the decision to appoint Dr Bhowmik,” a senior professor said.

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