Pramesh S Jain
The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department has suspended Dr.Mahendra Kumar Shetty,a surgeon at the Government Hospital in Kundapur,Udupi district, pending a departmental inquiry into allegations that he assaulted journalist Srikanth Hemanadi at a hotel on Friday.
According to the suspension order issued on August 21 by Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde,IAS,visuals purportedly showing Dr.Shetty assaulting the journalist at a hotel on August 21 were circulated in the media and on social media.
The Udupi District Health and Family Welfare Officer reported the incident to the department,following which disciplinary action was initiated.
The order notes that Dr.Shetty was already on medical leave from August 4 to September 30,2026,for a total of 58 days.
He was serving at the Government Hospital,Karkala,on deputation/temporary duty, while his parent posting was at the Government Hospital,Kundapur.
The department held that his alleged conduct was unbecoming of a government servant and amounted to violation of Rules 3(1)(i), (ii) and (iii) of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021.
Invoking Rule 10(1)(d) of the Karnataka Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules,1957,the commissioner ordered Dr.Shetty’s immediate suspension pending a departmental inquiry into allegations of dereliction of duty and irresponsible conduct.
During the suspension,his lien has been shifted to the vacant post of surgeon at the Government Hospital, Mundargi in Gadag district,for the purpose of drawing subsistence allowance.
The order also directs Dr.Shetty not to leave the headquarters during the suspension period without prior permission from the competent authority.
