Violence rocks AIIMS campus

BHOPAL: Sparks flew at AIIMS, Bhopal, on Wednesday as personal rivalries triggered violence on the medical college campus. Amid allegations of physical assault, AIIMS, Bhopal, deputy director administration (DDA) Rituraj Singh and AYUSH doctor, Ajay Singh Baghel, filed a police complaint against each other.
Locals from nearby Pipaliya Pende Khan had come to submit a memorandum.Five of them were allowed inside the building to meet the deputy director, administration under police cover. They submitted a memorandum, claiming some AIIMS officials had promised them jobs in the institute.
Singh immediately called Baghel for an explanation. After not getting a response, Singh said he went out to pacify the unruly crowd that was shouting slogans against the administration.
DDA Rituraj Singh was accompanied by his assistant, who was filming the sequence of events. When they reached the end of the corridor, Singh met Baghel and AIIMS Bhopal administrative officer Sanjay Singh Chauhan. They later objected to being filmed and allegedly thrashed Rituraj Singh’s assistant.
According to Baghel’s version, Rituraj intimidated and manhandled him. Baghel had lodged a police complaint against deputy director administration in April.
Internal politics at the premier institute touched to a new low last November when Rituraj Singh alleged his colleague and AIIMS Bhopal administrative officer (AO) Sanjay Singh Chauhan is instigating a campaign to malign his reputation. Rituraj filed a police complaint on November 15, against Chauhan.
“He (Chauhan) is plotting with my wife to defame my reputation. I took up the matter with then institute director Dr Sandeep Kumar who did not respond to my complaints,” said Rituraj who has filed for divorce. A court case is underway against Rituraj, related to a land deal in Raisen district in 2011.
Chauhan refuted allegations against him. “I deny allegations by Rituraj, including colluding against him in his divorce case. As for police complaint, I have already replied.”
“Chauhan’s term, who is on deputation, ended on May 10. Administration has considered him as automatically deemed relieving,” said Rituraj Singh. In response, Chauhan said he has not received any information from Union ministry and my extension is pending. “AIIMS financial advisor Rajesh Nigam has advised me to wait for ministry extension orders,” said Chauhan.