Mysuru: K'taka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao orders suspension of officials amid foeticide racket
Mysuru: In response to the shocking case of female foeticide that has rattled the state, Karnataka's Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao, has taken action by ordering the suspension of Mysuru Taluk Medical Officer Dr. Rajeshwari and former Mysuru District Health Officer Dr. Ravi for alleged dereliction of duty.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Thursday, Health Minister Gundu Rao expressed concern over lapses within the Health Department and stressed the need for an exhaustive investigation to uncover the network of individuals involved in the foeticide racket. He informed reporters that discussions had taken place with Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the investigation, with the Chief Minister expected to decide on the type of inquiry to be conducted.
Acknowledging foeticide as a social problem, Minister Gundu Rao said it was necessary for a shift in societal mindset to effectively combat the issue.
The Health Minister, prior to addressing the media, visited Matha Hospital in Mysuru, which has been reportedly identified as the epicenter of the criminal activity. During the visit, he reprimanded Mysuru Taluk Medical Officer for providing inaccurate information, including the duration of the foeticide occurrences at the hospital and the plausibility of oversight in detecting such cases.
Minister Gundu Rao took Dr. Rajeshwari to task after receiving detailed information on the incident, revealing that the foeticide activities had been ongoing for an extended period.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
