Court order in hand, Cheran returns as deputy director of health services

TRICHY: Dr KC Cheran, who was serving as the deputy director of health services (DDHS) of Trichy and was put on compulsory waiting list last week, took charge on Thursday, based on an order by the Madras high court. The court also stayed the appointment of Dr Raveendran, who assumed charge as DDHS last week.
However, the incumbent DDHS, Dr Raveendran, maintained he was still the deputy director.
Dr Raveendran was appointed to the post after Dr Cheran was removed from the post following allegations that he was responsible for the suicide of a district malaria officer in Trichy. Dr Cheran then challenged the government move to keep him on compulsory wait in high court. He then got the GO vacated based on which he 'joined duty' in the old post. "The court ordered me to join as DDHS in Trichy with immediate effect after staying the GO that put me on the waiting list. So, I am taking charge on Thursday again," Dr Cheran told TOI on Thursday night.
However, Dr Raveendran said he continued to be DDHS, Trichy. "Dr Cheran did not follow the procedure. He should have got an order from the director of public health to join as DDHS based on the court order. But he did not do so. When I was on the way to office today (Thursday), I heard that Cheran will be joining duty. So, as per the instruction from the director of public health, I did not go to the office. Meanwhile, I was told by my superior not to go to office to avoid a situation. At the same time, I was told not to let Cheran handle any files as DDHS, Trichy. So, it is crystal clear that as of now I am the DDHS of Trichy," Dr Raveendran told TOI.
The director of public health had put Dr Cheran on compulsory waiting list in the wake of a series of protest by the health department employees seeking his removal from the post. They had alleged that he 'tortured' employees reporting to him.
The issue that forced the director of public health to remove Cheran was the suicide of A Balaji, district malaria officer (DMO), Trichy on October 24. It was alleged that a 'memo' issued to Balaji by Dr Cheran for 'alleged poor performance' in work provoked him to take the extreme step.
Employees went on protest and demanded criminal as well as departmental action against Cheran for 'abetting suicide'. A case of unnatural death was also filed on basis of a complaint by Balaji's wife, Muthulakshmi. The agitated employees called of their protest only after police assured them that Dr Cheran's name will be included in the FIR after investigation.