Karnataka government doctor suspended over taking bribes for surgery

A surgeon employed at a government hospital located in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapura district was suspended on allegations of accepting bribes from patients for surgery.

The administrative action was initiated after a local television news channel aired a video on June 11 that allegedly showed the surgeon, Dr Narasimhamurthy demanding payments from patients in exchange for agreeing to perform surgical procedures on them.

The aired video generated outrage among citizens and resulted in considerable embarrassment for the health department and government officials.

According to information provided by department officials, Dr Narasimhamurthy was in-charge Taluk Health Officer at the health centre in Gudibande Town from August 2019. He has been at the post for approximately five years and ten months at the time of his suspension.

Following the video’s broadcast, the Chikkaballapura District Health Officer took immediate action by submitting a preliminary investigative report to the higher officials. It was recommended that a formal departmental inquiry be conducted into the matter. Subsequently, administrative officials constituted a specialised fact-finding team to investigate the allegations thoroughly.

Upon examination of the available evidence and circumstances surrounding the case, there was strong and credible evidence that supported the bribery allegations.

The state government authorities decided to take disciplinary action against Dr Narasimhamurthy who was suspended from his official duties with immediate effect while the formal inquiry proceedings continue.

The government invoked the provisions of Rule 10(3) of the Karnataka Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 1957, which provides the legal framework for such disciplinary measures.

Written by Rithu Pawar