India, April 3 -- Hours after the Supreme Court stayed the election to the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) on grounds that the state government had not appointed an officer of under secretary rank as returning officer, the government appointed an officer of requisite rank to the post, paving the way for the poll to go ahead as scheduled on Thursday. But one of the petitioners raised concerns about the appointment of a new officer at the last moment, saying it could go against the spirit of the court's order.

"Following the Supreme Court order, we have appointed Sunil Dhonde, under secretary with the medical education department, as returning officer. Polling will be held as planned on Thursday, April 3," a senior officer from the medic...