Rajasthan High Court Intervenes in Medical College Appointment Dispute
The Rajasthan High Court has issued an interim stay on the state government's order that cancelled the appointment of a candidate selected for the position of assistant professor (super specialty) in paediatric gastroenterology at SMS Medical College in Jaipur. This significant legal development occurred on Tuesday, with Justice Farjand Ali presiding over the case.
Court Directs Immediate Joining of Duties
In a decisive move, Justice Farjand Ali directed the state government to allow the candidate, Laxman Singh Charan, to join his duties immediately. This order came as a response to a writ petition filed by Charan, who challenged the government's abrupt cancellation of his appointment without providing any explanation.
Background of the Recruitment Process
The controversy stems from recruitment directives issued by the National Medical Commission in April 2025. Following these directives, SMS Medical College notified an urgent recruitment drive for 27 positions. Among the applicants, Laxman Singh Charan was one of seven suitable candidates selected for these roles.
Charan's appointment was officially confirmed on December 2, 2025. However, in a surprising turn of events, the state government cancelled his position while allowing other selected candidates to join their duties. This decision left Charan without a position despite having successfully navigated the selection process.
Petitioner's Arguments Against Arbitrary Decision
In his writ petition, Charan argued that the state government's decision was both arbitrary and discriminatory. He emphasized that the post he was selected for had remained vacant for over 15 years, highlighting the critical need for qualified professionals in this specialized medical field.
The petition further detailed the acute shortage of paediatric gastroenterologists in Rajasthan. Currently, the entire state has only four specialists in this crucial medical discipline. This severe shortage has forced medical facilities to rely on liver specialists to handle paediatric intestinal diseases, as seen at Jaipur's JK Lon Hospital, due to the absence of properly qualified experts.
Court's Timeline and Requirements
The Rajasthan High Court has established a clear timeline for resolving this matter. The court has required the state government to submit its response within three weeks, providing an opportunity for the government to present its side of the story and explain the reasoning behind the cancellation decision.
Meanwhile, the interim stay ensures that Laxman Singh Charan can commence his duties immediately, preventing further delay in filling this critical medical position. This judicial intervention underscores the importance of transparent and fair recruitment processes in the medical education sector, particularly for specialized positions that address significant healthcare gaps in the community.
