New Delhi

The Supreme Court has issued a contempt notice to the acting director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, over the failure to submit a court-directed affidavit in a matrimonial dispute and has ordered his personal appearance before the court.

A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan noted that on April 16 it had specifically directed the AIIMS director to file an affidavit explaining certain issues in the case. However, instead of the director, an affidavit was submitted by Nishant Kumar, identified as a deputy secretary at AIIMS, claiming he had been authorised to do so.

The bench strongly objected to the move, observing that the court had explicitly sought an explanation from the director and that such a responsibility could not be delegated to another official.

During the hearing, the court was informed that AIIMS currently does not have a permanent director and that the institution is being headed by an acting director. When asked why the acting director had not personally filed the affidavit, the court was told that he was holding the position only temporarily.

Expressing displeasure, the judges said they were “surprised” and “shocked” by the response. The bench observed that any individual occupying a post, whether in a permanent or acting capacity, is obligated to discharge all duties and responsibilities attached to that office.

The court stated that it was not inclined to accept any plea of ignorance from the acting director and held a prima facie view that he had committed contempt of court.

Consequently, the bench impleaded Dr. Nikhil Tandon, the acting director of AIIMS, New Delhi, as a respondent in the matter and issued a contempt notice against him. The court directed him to remain personally present and submit an explanation when the matter is next taken up on July 7, 2026.

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In the same proceedings, the Supreme Court also considered a DNA analysis report submitted by the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at AIIMS. The report confirmed that the DNA profile of the child matched those of the parties involved and established that the individual concerned is the biological father of the child.