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New Delhi, June 18, 2025 — Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has ordered the dissolution of the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) following allegations of mismanagement and abuse of power, marking a significant intervention in the capital’s healthcare regulatory framework.
The decision, taken on Tuesday, comes after the Delhi Health Department submitted a proposal seeking control over the DMC under Section 29 of the Delhi Medical Council Act, 1997. The proposal highlighted serious irregularities, including the unauthorized extension of the retirement age of the Council’s Registrar and the further prolongation of his tenure without government approval.
In his official order, the Lieutenant Governor noted that the DMC had “exceeded” and “abused” the powers granted to it by the Act. Specifically, the Council unilaterally extended the retirement age of Registrar Dr. Girish Tyagi from 60 to 65 years and then extended his term by an additional year starting December 2024, without seeking state government approval. When served with a show-cause notice in February 2025, the DMC only stated that Dr. Tyagi had resigned but did not address the unauthorized extension, resulting in him serving over five years beyond the normal retirement age.
“Accordingly, I concur with the proposal of the Health Department for dissolution of Delhi Medical Council as approved by the Hon’ble Chief Minister,” the Lieutenant Governor stated in his order. He has directed the Health Department to initiate the process for reconstituting the Council and to ensure that this is completed within two months. During the interim period, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will oversee the Council’s functions, and two ex-officio members may continue in the Council.
The DMC is an autonomous statutory body established under the Delhi Medical Council Act, 1997, responsible for regulating the practice of modern medicine in Delhi. It comprises 25 members, including representatives elected by over 100,000 registered allopathic doctors, medical college faculties, government nominees, and former officials. The Council is the only statutory body in Delhi empowered to handle complaints of medical negligence and professional misconduct.
The dissolution has left a regulatory vacuum, with doctors expressing concerns over delays in permanent registrations and salary processing, especially for newly qualified MBBS graduates serving in government hospitals. The absence of a Registrar has also led to a backlog of applications and technical issues with the Council’s website, causing distress among applicants.
Dr. Tyagi, in response to the allegations, stated that the matter regarding his tenure extension is sub-judice and that he had sought permission from the Delhi government for the extension.
The Lieutenant Governor’s order marks the first dissolution of the DMC since its inception in 1997. The Health Department has assured that the DGHS will handle ongoing registrations and other essential functions until a new Council is in place.
Disclaimer:
This news article is based on information available from reputable news sources as of June 18, 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are advised to consult official government communications or the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date and authoritative information. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the sources cited and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any institution.
