The Allahabad High Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to justify the four-year-long suspension of Dr. Kafeel Khan, who was suspended from the BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur in 2017 (Dr. Kafeel Khan v. State of UP).The direction was passed by single-judge Justice Yashwant Varma on a plea moved by Dr. Khan challenging his suspension."The delay in taking further action on the part of the disciplinary authority is not explained. The respondents are also obliged to justify the continuance of the order of suspension which has continued for more than 4 years," the order said.Dr Khan was suspended after BRD oxygen tragedy in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh where 63 innocent children were killed after sudden stoppage of liquid oxygen supply at the hospital.Khan had initially moved a petition challenging an order of suspension dated August 22, 2017. By an order of March 7, 2019 that petition was disposed of with a direction to the respondents to conclude the enquiry within three months. Pursuant to that direction, the Enquiry Officer submitted his report on April 15, 2019. The disciplinary authority however chose to pass its order after almost 11 months on February 24, 2020 and no further action was taken. The delay in taking further actions remains unexplained, the Court noted.The counsel for the State sought time to seek instructions and address the address the court on the next hearing which the Court allowed. The matter will be heard again on August 5..Interestingly, all the other accused who were suspended along with him have been reinstated except Khan, who got clearance from many inquiries..Anti-CAA speech at AMU: Allahabad High Court seeks response from Uttar Pradesh Govt in plea by Dr. Kafeel Khan to quash criminal case against him.Earlier, a bench led by Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Govind Mathur had ordered the release of Dr Kafeel Khan, in a case relating to his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) in the wake of anti-CAA protests. .Dr Kafeel Khan's speech calls for national integrity and unity, does not instigate violence or hatred: Allahabad HC [Read Judgment].[Read order]
