Haflong: The head pharmacist of Haflong civil hospital was demoted and reverted to his original post of pharmacist after Gauhati High Court found anomalies in the appointment process.

Nirupam Dutta was promoted to the post of head pharmacist by the directorate of health services, Guwahati, in December 2011 after his name was recommended as senior most pharmacist by the principal secretary, N.C. Hills Autonomous Council.

After Dutta's appointment, Jacinta Renthlei, a pharmacist at Haflong civil hospital, approached all the higher authorities stating that she is senior to Dutta but was superseded and filed a written petition in the high court challenging the promotion.

The court, after examining the facts, directed to consider Renthlei's representation and thereafter to pass appropriate orders by giving an opportunity of hearing not only to the petitioner but also to the private respondent Dutta.

After both the parties were heard and facts examined it was found that the office of joint director health of Dima Hasao district did not have any copy of the order made by the principal secretary, NC Hills Autonomous Council, recommending Dutta as the senior most pharmacist.

The director of health services found that Renthlei was senior to Dutta according to the gradation list published by the joint director (health) of Dima Hasao. Dutta was then reverted to his original post of pharmacist.

Dutta was earlier in the news for allegedly seeking Rs 2 lakh from those aspiring to get permanent grade IV jobs. He was also in the news for being absent from duty for months and during his absence the medicine store at Haflong civil hospital was being run by a grade IV non-technical employee, posing danger to the life of patients.

So far, no action has been taken against Dutta by either the health department or the autonomous council.

Sources said any action against Dutta would have to be initiated by the joint director (health).