ED probe reveals disproportionate assets; professor denies charges, calls decision defamatory
Lucknow: In a dramatic development just three days ahead of his retirement, King George’s Medical University (KGMU) has terminated the services of its Head of the Pharmacology Department over allegations of engaging in unauthorised private practice, a clear violation of state rules that prohibit such activity for government doctors.
According to Prof. KK Singh, spokesperson for KGMU, a disciplinary committee found the senior professor guilty following a detailed internal inquiry. His explanation was reportedly unsatisfactory to the Executive Council, which, under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Soniya Nityanand, decided to dismiss him from service in a recent meeting.
High Court Had Pulled Up Authorities for Inaction
The issue had earlier caught public attention when Medical Dialogues reported in February 2023 that the same professor was allegedly running a private hospital in Lucknow while still holding a government position. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had criticised KGMU and state authorities for their failure to take action despite the serious nature of the accusations.
Emergency Meetings, Chargesheet, and Denied Extension
In response to growing pressure, the KGMU council held an emergency meeting on July 4, where a 180-page chargesheet was approved. The professor was given six days to respond, but when he requested additional time, the council rejected the plea in another emergency meeting on July 10.
Professor Claims Allegations Are Baseless
The professor, however, has strongly refuted all accusations, calling them “completely false, baseless, and fabricated.” He alleged that the university’s decision was motivated by personal malice, aimed at tarnishing his reputation and undoing his years of academic service.
ED Investigation Reveals Financial Irregularities
The case escalated further after an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which reportedly found that the professor had acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The ED probe also supported the claim that he was actively involved in private medical practice while holding a full-time public position, an act that qualifies as criminal misconduct under service conduct rules.
National Focus on Government Doctors Engaging in Private Practice
This case has reignited the broader debate on private practice by government doctors, a concern shared across several states. Medical Dialogues recently reported that Karnataka’s Medical Education Minister, Sharanprakash Patil, issued strict warnings to doctors in government medical colleges found engaging in private practice during duty hours, promising disciplinary action and salary deductions.
Most Indian states prohibit such dual practice to prevent conflict of interest and ensure full-time commitment to public healthcare.
As the KGMU episode unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in enforcing medical service ethics and accountability in India’s government-run institutions.
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