Sack Harsh Vardhan for removing AIIMS top official: AAP

NEW DELHI: Stepping up its attack on the Union health minister over the removal of AIIMS chief vigilance officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi, Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP) on Friday called for immediate sacking or resignation of Harsh Vardhan.

AAP's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal alleged that Chaturvedi was removed because he brought corruption cases of a senior IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh who worked as a deputy director (administration) in AIIMS, to light.

"The IAS officer against whom Chaturvedi had initiated the complaint is close to a senior BJP leader. Chaturvedi started taking action against him which is why CBI could register cases against him," said the former chief minister at a press conference. He said the BJP leader had complained about Chaturvedi several times but his complaints were examined and rejected.

Kejriwal said that the logic given by Vardhan that Chaturvedi's appointment required chief vigilance commission's approval was wrong as AIIMS is not included in the list of government institutions that require CVC's nod for appointment of a CVO.

The AAP leader added that there were attempts to remove the Haryana cadre Indian forest service officer as the CVO from day one. Kejriwal pointed out the case of a doctor of AIIMS who was sent to inspect facilities and infrastructure of Vinayaka Missions Medical College in Karikal by the Medical Council of India, and allegedly accepted lodging, boarding and other hospitality from the inspected college, contrary to the norms.

"The AIIMS CVO recommended imposition of major penalty on the doctor. But Vardhan has completely exonerated her and even withdrawn her penalty," he said.