New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) Soon after resuming charge as director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), P. Venugopal Saturday successfully led a team of doctors to operate upon a one-and-a-half year old Pakistani boy, who was suffering from congenital heart disease. The operation that lasted almost one hour was successful, said Kaushal Mishra, a junior doctor and a close associate of the cardiac surgeon.

“The boy is in a stable condition. The family members are very happy,” Mishra told IANS.

The Pakistani boy, Sajid, who was born with a hole in his heart, came to the national capital four days ago.

Cardiac surgeon A.K. Bisoi, who handled the case, assisted Venugopal in the operation that was held Saturday morning, he said.

Venugopal, 66, was reinstated by the Supreme Court order Thursday, almost six months after his ouster following a legislation that limited the tenure of the director to a maximum of five years or till they reach the retirement age of 65. The apex court has struck the law down.

The director, who assumed charge soon after the apex court order, was involved in a bitter turf war with Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.

Venugopal is to retire July 2, 2008.