KANPUR, July 10 -- A tense standoff at the Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) office in Kanpur ended on Thursday evening after police escorted suspended CMO Dr Haridutt Nemi out of the premises, nearly seven-and-a-half hours after he occupied the official chair and asserted his claim to the post.

The episode followed Wednesday's incident in which Dr Nemi removed the nameplate of his replacement, Dr Udaynath, and reinstalled his own outside the CMO's office. That move sparked confusion among staff and set the stage for Thursday's confrontation.

On Thursday morning around 9:30 am, Dr Nemi entered the office claiming that a stay granted by the high court on his suspension allowed him to resume duties. He took the chair, addressed the staff as t...