Kozhikode: An embarrassing stalemate unfolded at the Kozhikode District Medical Office, where two officers — one transferred out and the other transferred in — occupied the same office, each claiming to be the top health officer of the district.

Since Monday, December 24, incumbent Dr Rajendran N and Dr Asha Devi, transferred from Ernakulam, sat face-to-face in the office, leaving other officials confused about whom to approach for decisions.

After sitting on the fence and watching the drama for two days, the Directorate of Health Services on Tuesday issued an order reaffirming Dr Asha Devi as the Kozhikode DMO.

On December 9, Director of Health Services Dr Reena K J issued a general transfer order, reassigning seven administrative officers across the state.

As part of the order, Kozhikode District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr Rajendran N was transferred to Thiruvananthapuram to serve as Additional Director (A&T) at the Directorate of Health Services. Simultaneously, Dr Asha Devi, the DMO of Ernakulam, was reassigned as the new DMO of Kozhikode.

As per the transfer order, Dr Rajendran, a Kozhikode native, was relieved from his post. Dr Asha Devi was relieved from Ernakulam and assumed duty as Kozhikode DMO on December 10.

However, after joining, Dr Asha Devi left for Thiruvananthapuram to attend a departmental meeting. During her absence, Dr Rajendran approached the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) and secured a stay on his transfer on December 13. Notably, three other officers included in the same general transfer order also obtained similar stays.

The Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) directed the Directorate of Health Services to decide on the disputed transfers within one month and granted a 10-day stay on the transfer orders.

On Monday, December 23, when the stay expired, Dr Asha Devi returned to the Kozhikode District Medical Office to assume charge. However, Dr Rajendran was already seated behind the desk. What followed was a dramatic tug-of-war over office files, with both officers asserting their authority as the District Medical Officer (DMO). By 5 pm, Dr Asha Devi left the office, while Dr Rajendran remained well past office hours.

The standoff continued the next day, Tuesday, December 24, with Dr Rajendran arriving at the office before Dr Asha Devi. But their interactions were more civil. Dr Rajendran had said he would continue functioning as the DMO until a government decision was made.

Dr Asha Devi too had a long stint in Kozhikode, having previously served as the additional DMO and as superintendent of Government General Hospital (Beach Hospital). She was transferred to Ernakulam as the DMO just a few months ago before being reassigned to Kozhikode in the latest transfer order.