Delhi high court seeks L-G’s decision on reappointment of IHBAS director

A Delhi-based RTI activist, Balbir Singh, has alleged in his petition that the appointment of Dr Nimesh G Desai as director of the institute was “illegal” as it was not approved by the LG.

The Delhi High Court has asked the Lieutenant Governor to convey to the court his decision on a representation challenging the reappointment of the director of Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS).

A Delhi-based RTI activist, Balbir Singh, has alleged in his petition that the appointment of Dr Nimesh G Desai as director of the institute was “illegal” as it was not approved by the LG.

A Delhi-based RTI activist, Balbir Singh, has alleged in his petition that the appointment of Dr Nimesh G Desai as director of the institute was “illegal” as it was not approved by the LG.

Desai was appointed as director in 2010 and his tenure ended in April 2015. After extending his tenure for about a year, Desai was selected as director of IHBAS again.

The petition, represented by advocate Siddhartha Singh, alleged a fresh selection process was initiated by the Delhi government’s health minister “only to benefit and appoint Desai in a pre-determined manner”.

It alleged that the appointment process, initiated earlier in which other eligible candidates were selected, was abruptly cancelled and a fresh selection process was initiated with relaxation in rules to suit Desai.

The petitioner said though he made a representation to the LG last September informing him of the alleged “irregularities committed in the selection of the director”, no action has been taken to date.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Navin Chawla has asked for the decision of the LG to the representation made by Singh to be presented before the court.

“The respondents shall place before this Court the consideration of the representation on the next date of hearing,” the court said posting the case for hearing on July 31.