Medical council sends notice to ex-chief Ketan Desai

NEW DELHI - Tainted former chief of Medical Council of India (MCI) Ketan Desai was Wednesday issued a showcause notice by the board of governors of the council for his case pending before the ethics committee.

The notice sent to Desai by the MCI has sought a response from him by Nov 9 giving an explanation in relation to his actions.

In light of the recommendations of the ethics committee, you are hereby called upon to submit your response to the appeal of Kunal Saha and other materials and also to reply as to why action be not taken against you for violating the code of conduct prescribed by the Indian Medical Council (Professional conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, the notice said.

The show cause notice was issued by the MCI after an appeal was submitted by Saha, president of physicians group People for Better Treatment.

Accordingly, you are directed to submit your explanation in person or through your counsel on or before Nov 9 failing which the MCI shall initiate further proceedings ex-parte in the matter in accordance with law, the notice said.

Desai was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation April 23 on graft charges. He was been arrested for taking Rs.2 crore as bribe for giving recognition to a Punjab medical college.

Following this, the former MCI chief was replaced by a board of governors appointed by central government May 15.