CHENNAI: The Madras High Court dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of a Unani professor, reasoning that claims of a lack of qualification were invalid.

The quo warranto petition was filed by Unani practitioner Dr A Khaleel Ahmed, who works as an assistant medical officer at the GH in Ramanathapuram. He previously worked as an assistant professor at the Government Unani Medical College and Hospital in Chennai. He stated that he was transferred to Ramanathapuram based on several complaints against him made by Dr Mubasheera Begum and others.

He alleged that Dr Mubasheera Begum was appointed as a professor despite not being qualified under the rules, and claimed that she was now appointed as a postgraduate guide and examiner for Unani general medicine students.

He questioned the legality of her appointment and requested that she be removed from the post. When the case came up for hearing before Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy, the petitioner's counsel submitted that Begum had falsely filed an affidavit claiming 10 years of experience with no prior teaching experience in medical subjects.

In response, Dr Mubasheera Begum filed a counter affidavit stating that she has 20 years of teaching experience. Similarly, the principal of the Unani Medical College also filed a petition stating that she has more than 10 years of teaching experience in medical subjects.

After hearing the arguments from all sides, the judge dismissed the quo warranto petition, stating that he could not accept the petitioner's claim that Dr Mubasheera Begum was not qualified.