CH NEWS, SHIDLAGHATTA
The state government has dismissed Shidlaghatta Taluk Health Officer Dr. T.H. Venkateshamurthy from service after statutory inquiry proceedings conclusively established bribery and graft charges against him.
The Health and Family Welfare Department executed the dismissal order on September 11 pursuant to a formal resolution ratified during the state cabinet meeting held on August 13. The disciplinary sanction was invoked under Rule 8(viii) of the Karnataka Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1957.
The case dates back to 2016 when Venkateshamurthy was serving on deputation as District Officer for the Backward Classes Development Department in Kolar. The officer had demanded a ₹10 lakh bribe from a commercial food contractor in exchange for clearing official review proceedings regarding grocery and food provision supplies to government residential hostels across Kolar district.
After allegedly taking an initial advance of ₹5 lakh, Venkateshamurthy was trapped red-handed by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigators while accepting a further installment of ₹2 lakh at his office premises.
Following a probe submitted by the Karnataka Lokayukta and Upalokayukta, the disciplinary authority initiated formal departmental inquiry proceedings that substantiated all corruption charges. Acting upon the cabinet’s definitive sanction, the Under Secretary to the Government issued the final notification removing the medical officer permanently from public administration, reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy toward administrative corruption.
