The Karnataka Medical Education Department has suspended three senior doctors after allegations of bribery during an inspection for the National Medical Commission (NMC). The action follows a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe that accused them of accepting illegal gratification to approve a medical institution.
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The suspended officials are Dr. Chaitra M.S., Associate Professor of Anatomy at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru; Dr. Manjappa C.N., Professor and Head of Orthopaedics at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences; and Dr. Ashok Shelke, Assistant Professor of Community Medicine at Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences. Their suspension orders were signed by Principal Secretary of Medical Education, Mohammad Mohsin.
CBI’s findings
According to the CBI’s findings, the doctors allegedly accepted bribes while inspecting the Rawatpura Government Institute of Medical Science and Research in Chhattisgarh. In return, they are accused of providing a favorable report to the institution, which could influence its accreditation status.
The CBI had earlier filed a First Information Report (FIR) and taken the doctors into custody for questioning. Subsequently, the investigative agency informed the state government through an official communication, prompting the disciplinary action.
Officials confirmed that the suspensions were carried out under service conduct rules, pending further proceedings. The case has sparked serious concerns about transparency in medical education and regulatory inspections, with calls for stricter oversight to prevent such malpractice in the future.