Ranchi, Sept. 1: Jharkhand High Court today directed the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) to furnish the result of an interview conducted on August 28 for appointing a director.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation challenging the appointment of current RIMS director N.N. Agarwal, whose term has come to an end.

The RIMS administration will have to produce the result on September 3 when the matter will be heard again. It also asked Agarwal to produce his educational qualifications before the court.

Petitioner Ashim Kumar Samanta has alleged that Agarwal was appointed as the RIMS director in violation of the Medical Council of India (MCI) norms. He added that though Agarwal did not qualify for the post, he was appointed by the state.

Samanta said that according to MCI guidelines, a director of a medical college and institute such as RIMS should have a minimum of 10 years’ teaching experience. Out of these 10 years, he should serve five years as a professor in a medical institute.

Samanta said that while Agarwal has taught for 10 years, he has not served as a professor in a medical institute for five years and hence, is not an eligible candidate.

The state had earlier filed an affidavit supporting the contentions of the petitioner. However, today it reverted from its stand and filed an application for withdrawing the earlier affidavit.

The state filed a fresh affidavit, saying that Agarwal had necessary qualifications for the job.