Telangana HC Allows Accused Doctor in Suicide Case to Attend PG Exam

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court yet again intervened in the the order of suspension made by the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences against Dr M.A. Saiff Ali, accused for abetting the suicide of Dr D. Preeti, a medical graduate working under his supervision at the Kakatiya Medical College in Warangal.

The judge directed that Dr Ali be permitted to take the ensuing postgraduate examination after being given the benefit of proper attendance. Earlier, the petitioner was suspended in June 2023, following the suicide, with retrospective effect.

Faulting the same the court set aside the suspension but allowed the authorities to act in accordance with law. Again, in January 2024, the authorities imposed the suspension with retrospective effect. The petitioner’s attendance from February to October 2023 was not restored, resulting in a minor shortage of attendance.

The petitioner alleged that the college administration, led by the principal, had refused to allow him to attend classes even after the suspension was nullified, thereby undermining the earlier court order. Counsel for the petitioner argued that this administrative failure was arbitrary, unconstitutional, and in violation of his fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

On the other hand, the health university counsel contended that the petitioner was absent for 21 days after the suspension period and cited other attendance shortfalls. Adding to the complexity of the case, the respondents pointed out that a criminal case alleging abetment of suicide was pending against the petitioner, with the chargesheet already filed.

After perusing the material record and acknowledging the administrative lapses, the judge directed Kakatiya Medical College to upload the petitioner’s attendance record and permit him to appear for the exams.