Dr. Ankita Yaragal, Medical Officer at a Namma Clinic in Bagalkot, Karnataka, is accused of pursuing full-time studies at a private medical college alongside her job.
According to media reports, she did not report for duty at the clinic for around 6 months, yet continued to receive a salary of more than ₹70,000 per month.
Dr. Ankita is the niece of Congress MLA Umesh Katti from Bagalkot. Her father, Rajkumar Yaragal, is Bagalkot’s District Health Officer (DHO). After the matter came to light, it was her father who ordered Dr. Ankita’s removal from duty.
If the investigation proves that Dr. Ankita pursued PG studies in violation of rules while holding a government job and drew a government salary during that period, she will have to return the salary.
After the incident came to light, Dr. Ankita was released from the Namma Clinic in Wambe Colony.
Accused of being absent from clinic from March to September
According to media reports, the main dispute in the case centres on Dr. Ankita’s admission to a full-time Post Graduation (PG) course at a private medical college. According to officials, she began her PG course in March but did not resign from her post as Medical Officer at Namma Clinic. She had been working at the Namma Clinic in Vambe Colony, Bagalkot, on a contract/outsourced basis since April 2025.
It is alleged that from 3 March to September, Dr. Ankita continued in her clinic job alongside her PG studies but did not report for duty during this period — meaning she simultaneously continued a full-time PG course and her job at a government health clinic.
According to officials, the Medical Officer’s absence caused difficulties for patients and local residents. She is being investigated on charges of unauthorised dual employment and dereliction of duty in connection with the matter.
College had granted permission for PG
According to a notice from District Panchayat CEO Gajanan Bale, the Principal of SN Medical College had granted Dr. Ankita permission to pursue the PG course.
However, officials say the college’s permission does not resolve the matter of her absence from Namma Clinic duty. Her absence and dual employment are being investigated separately.
Did not appear at 15 September hearing
The District Panchayat CEO had scheduled a hearing on the matter for 15 September, but Dr. Ankita did not appear. She has now been given notice to appear at 10 am on 18 September in Room No. 11 of the District Panchayat office.
The CEO has said that a unilateral decision could be taken if she remains absent at the next hearing as well.
Case could be referred to KMC and NMC
According to officials, the case is being investigated for possible violations of government health institution rules and doctors’ professional conduct norms.
Following the investigation, the matter could, if necessary, be referred to the Karnataka Medical Council (KMC) and the National Medical Commission (NMC), after which departmental and professional-level action could follow.
‘Daughter’s appointment came before his own’, says father
DHO Rajkumar Yaragal said on 15 September that his daughter’s appointment was made by the then-DHO, Manjunath Doddamani, before he himself became DHO.
He claimed that after taking charge as DHO, he did not release Dr. Ankita’s salary and had instructed the Taluk Health Officer to remove her from duty.
Meanwhile, local activist Raju Naik alleged that Dr. Ankita began her PG in pathology in March but did not resign from her government clinic job.
