HC Resolves Principal Dispute at Govt Dental College Indore, Dr Alka Gupta Assumes Charge
Indore: In a significant
development, the ongoing dispute over the principal position at the
Government Dental College in Indore has been resolved, with the high court ruling in favour of Dr Alka Gupta.
The dispute arose after
the state government issued an order on January 8 appointing Dr Alka Gupta as
the new principal. Dr Sandhya Jain, who had been working as the principal, was replaced by Dr Gupta, a professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at the Government College of Dentistry in Indore.
However, confusion
emerged regarding the recruitment when Dr Jain challenged the government order
in the high court, arguing that she had not officially handed over the charge,
reports The Daily. Despite this, Dr. Gupta assumed the position on January 9,
citing the state directive. The situation became more contentious when the
court ordered a status quo on January 10, but both doctors continued to assert
their claims to the role.
Dr. Jain and Dr. Gupta have
been functioning as principals from separate rooms, creating operational
disruptions. Dr. Jain maintained that she remains the rightful principal, as
she never relinquished her duties. On the other hand, Dr. Gupta asserts that
her appointment followed proper procedures. The court has rejected
Dr Sandhya Jain’s challenge against Dr Gupta’s appointment, emphasizing that
retaining Dr. Jain in the role would hinder equitable governance due to an
ongoing investigation involving her spouse, former principal Dr. Deshraj Jain, reports Free Press Journal.
In its ruling, the court clarified that while Dr. Gupta will assume the responsibilities of
principal, she will not be responsible for assessing Dr. Jain’s annual
performance. The high court resolved the dispute and confirmed Dr. Gupta as the
principal after hearing the matter on January 16 and announcing its ruling on
January 17. Dr Gupta later assumed the charge after pandits performed rites
and chanted Vedic mantras.
Subsequently, Dr. Gupta had Dr. Jain’s nameplate removed from the office. Dr. Gupta holds an M.D.S. in Prosthodontics from the Government College of Dentistry, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, USA.
