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Key Points

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has ruled in favor of Professor Susheela Rana, calling her forced retirement discriminatory. Justice Sandeep Sharma highlighted the state's apparent bias in denying her extension while granting it to others. The court noted Himachal's critical shortage of medical faculty as a key factor in its decision. It ordered the government to reconsider extending her service to 68 years like similarly placed professors.

Key Points: Himachal HC Orders Service Extension for Professor Susheela Rana to 68

  • HC terms retirement orders discriminatory against Professor Susheela Rana
  • Court cites policy allowing extensions up to 68 years for faculty
  • Notes severe shortage of medical professors in Himachal
  • Directs fresh review of Rana's service extension case
2 min read

Himachal HC quashes retirement orders, directs govt to consider Professor's service extension to 68 years

Himachal HC quashes retirement orders, directs govt to extend Professor Susheela Rana's service to 68 years citing discrimination and faculty shortage.

"The State's conduct appears deliberate to block her from availing the 68-year benefit - Justice Sandeep Sharma"

Shimla, August 12

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has set aside multiple government orders retiring Susheela Rana, Professor and Head of the Department of Anatomy at Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College (SLBSGMC), Ner Chowk, and directed the State to consider her case for extension of service up to the age of 68 years, as granted to other similarly placed faculty members.

Justice Sandeep Sharma, delivering the judgment in CWP No. 1743 of 2022, quashed the State's orders dated February 17, 2022, February 28, 2022, and March 6, 2025, terming them discriminatory and contrary to policy decisions issued in December 2021 and December 2023, which allow medical college professors to serve up to 68 years on a case-to-case basis.

The Court observed that Dr. Rana was first deputed from Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, to SLBSGMC Ner Chowk in 2017 with assurances of promotion and service till 65 years. She was later absorbed as a regular faculty member and promoted to Professor. However, despite policy amendments enhancing the retirement age to 68 years, she was compulsorily retired at 62 years in 2022, and again at 65 years in 2025 during the pendency of her petition, without the Court's leave.

Justice Sharma criticised the State's conduct, stating that it appeared to be a deliberate attempt to block her from availing the 68-year benefit, especially when other professors with similar service profiles had been granted the extension. The Court also noted a severe shortage of medical faculty in Himachal Pradesh, with vacant posts attracting penalties from the National Medical Commission, making the denial of extension "illogical and unjustified."

The judgment underscores that while extension is not a matter of right, it must be granted fairly and without discrimination. Since Dr. Rana remained in service until March 2025, she was entitled to the benefit of the amended policies.

The Court ordered that Dr. Rana be deemed in continuous service and directed the government to take a fresh decision on extending her tenure to 68 years, as was done for others in similar positions.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is a welcome judgment. But why did it take 3 years? The government should compensate her for the mental harassment. Our system needs to be more efficient in delivering justice.
R
Rohit P
Good decision but raises questions - why single out Dr. Rana when others got extension? Seems like personal vendetta. Hope the govt learns to treat all employees equally 🤔
S
Sarah B
As someone who studied at SLBSGMC, I know how valuable experienced faculty are. The shortage of professors affects education quality. This judgment will benefit future students too.
V
Vikram M
While I support the judgment, we must also think about creating more permanent positions. Relying on extensions isn't a sustainable solution for faculty shortages.
K
Kavya N
The court's observation about NMC penalties is crucial. Himachal needs to value its medical educators - they shape our future doctors! #RespectTeachers

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