A Congress MLA’s niece was removed from her position as a medical officer in a government clinic in Bagalkot after failing to attend an inquiry into allegations that she was drawing a salary from the clinic while simultaneosly neglecting her duties to pursue a postgraduate medical studies course, officials said.
The allegations gained traction after Bagalkot taluk health officer Dr Saraswati Magi visited the clinic and did not find Dr Yaragal there. She was allegedly absent from the clinic from March 3 until September, according to the notice issued to Dr Yaragal. She was appointed at the clinic in April 2025.
When contacted, Dr Yaragal allegedly said she was out of station. Patients reportedly told Dr Magi that the doctor had allegedly not been attending the clinic for about three months, although her attendance was intact. Officials said the case may be referred to the Karnataka Medical Council and the National Medical Commission, citing alleged violations of rules applicable to registered medical practitioners in public health institutions and the NMC’s professional ethical code. The notice also says the salary or honorarium paid during the period in question could be recovered under applicable rules.
“I have not released her salary after I assumed charge as DHO. Local activist Raju Naik alleged that Dr Yaragal had never attended the clinic and that nurses had been running it. “Her father, Dr Rajkumar, is behind her appointment, and it is not just a waste of taxpayers’ money and illegal, but also a deprivation of healthcare facilities by the government. The Namma Clinic has been found shut down,” he alleged. Dr Rajkumar Yaragal has denied responsibility for releasing his daughter’s salary since taking charge as DHO.
Bale said he had sought a report from the district health officer and that action would follow. He said her appointment was made during the tenure of his predecessor, Dr Manjunath Dodderi. I have instructed the taluk health officer to relieve her from duty,” he said.
