HC seeks LG’s decision on appointment of IHBAS director

New Delhi, June 8 (IANS) The Delhi High Court has sought to know the Lt Governor's (LG) decision on a representation challenging as "illegal" the reappointment of the director of Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) here.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Navin Chawla asked for the decision of the LG to the representation made by a Delhi-based RTI activist Balbir Singh, to be presented before the court.

Singh alleged in his petition that the appointment of 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, said the plea, claiming that a fresh selection process was initiated by Delhi's Health Minister only to benefit and appoint Desai in a "pre-determined manner".

The appointment process, initiated earlier in which other eligible candidates were selected, was abruptly stopped and a fresh selection process was initiated with relaxation in rules to suit Desai, said the plea.

The petition added that Desai was not eligible for consideration for appointment for the post of director, having crossed 60 years of age, the said requirement of age was relaxed so that he could apply for the post of director under the fresh advertisement issued in February 2016.

Singh made a representation to the LG last September informing him of the alleged "irregularities" committed in the selection of the director, but no action has been taken till date, the plea said.