Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Amid the ongoing dispute over the post of principal at the Government Dental Hospital here, the high court is likely to decide on Tuesday which of the two principals working at present stays. The dispute began when the state government issued an order on January 8, appointing Dr Alka Gupta as principal, replacing Dr Sandhya Jain.

Later, Dr Jain challenged the order in the high court, claiming that she never handed over the charge. However, Dr Gupta took over the position on January 9, citing the government’s directive.

On January 10, the court ordered a status quo, but the conflict escalated as both doctors continued to assert their claims to the position. Currently, both Dr Jain and Dr Gupta are functioning as principals from separate rooms, leading to operational chaos.

Dr Jain argues that she remains the principal as she never relinquished the charge, while Dr Gupta insists she assumed the role following due process. On Monday, Dr Gupta submitted her reply to Dr Jain's petition.

Meanwhile, the Medical Teachers Association has called for filling the principal’s post through regular promotion to avoid such disputes in future. A division bench led by justice Vijay Kumar Shukla will hear arguments from both sides.The court’s decision is anticipated to end the standoff and clarify who will officially lead the institution.