AIIMS flouts norms to give favourite a chance at forensic medicine

An ancient history and culture graduate is taking a shot at getting a PhD in forensic medicine -- —one of the more complex medical courses -- when the eligibility criterion is an MBBS. Jaya Shroff reports.

An ancient history and culture graduate is taking a shot at getting a PhD in forensic medicine -- —one of the more complex medical courses -- when the eligibility criterion is an MBBS or a Masters degree in science.

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Flouting all norms, the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has called AIIMS deputy director (administration) Sailesh Yadav for the final interview for the Ph D course in forensic medicine on Friday, January 23.

Yadav passed the theory exam on January 18, results of which were declared three days later on the institute’s notice board.

What has surprised everyone is how he was allowed to sit for the exam when the basic qualification for a PhD in forensic medicine at AIIMS is an MBBS or a Masters degree in science or any subject allied to bio-medical sciences. Yadav has a Master’s degree in ancient history and culture.

Yadav who is an IPS officer of 1994 batch from the Tamil Nadu cadre, is presently on deputation at AIIMS, wants do his PhD under the guidance of acting director Dr T.D. Dogra, who also heads the department of forensic medicine.

“The registrar had given the application a go-ahead saying ‘that his MA degree can be considered as any degree allied to bio-medical sciences.’ It is ridiculous,” said a source at AIIMS, unwilling to be named.

Dean Dr R. C. Deka also gave written permission stating: “He may be permitted to undergo a PhD programme without taking the written test as it is waived off for the faculty of AIIMS.” Overruling the dean’s decision, Dr Dogra granted permission required he cleared the theory exam.

“Yadav only holds an administrative post and is not a doctor. Even if AIIMS agrees to sponsor him in the capacity of an employer, which it has done here, it is wrong, as he belongs to Tamil Nadu state cadre and their permission is still awaited. He is on deputation and is certainly not an AIIMS employee,” said a highly placed source at AIIMS.

“If a candidate having a MA in arts clears the exam, he is either a genius or fraudulent methods have been adopted. If he has adopted unfair practices, strict action must be taken against him and those conniving with him,” said a senior faculty member at AIIMS, unwilling to be named.