Hassan DC allows person facing harassment allegations to continue as District Surgeon citing ‘oral instruction’ from district in-charge Minister

The minister in-charge of Hassan district is K.N. Rajanna

Shivamogga

The District Surgeon of Hassan, who was removed from the post by the Department of Medical Education following complaints by women staff, continues in the post, thanks to a letter by Hassan Deputy Commissioner, citing an ‘oral instruction’ from the minister in-charge of the district K.N. Rajanna.

On December 2, Deputy Commissioner C. Sathyabhama wrote to the Director of Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) not to relieve Dr. H.C. Lokesh from the post of District Surgeon, contrary to the order issued by the Department of Medical Education (DME) three days ago. She cited an oral instruction from the minister in-charge of the district as the reason.

Dr. Lokesh, Associate Professor in the Department of General Medicine, was holding additional charge of District Surgeon. Following complaints against him by the staff and women’s organisations of Hassan, the DME, in an order on November 30, relieved Mr. Lokesh from the additional charge with immediate effect. The order issued by the undersecretary of the department cited the complaints against him from the Karnataka State Women’s Commission and staff members of the hospital.

District Surgeon faces allegations of misconduct

• HIMS Associate Professor, earlier suspended on charges of misconduct, appointed District Surgeon in Hassan

• Delay in action against district surgeon in Hassan leaves women staff worried

• Lokesh relieved as District Surgeon following allegations of harassing women staff

The officer was facing allegations of using abusive language against women staff and making inappropriate physical contact at the workplace. Following the complaints, the DME set up a panel to probe the allegations. The inquiry panel, which submitted its report in September 2024, reportedly recommended action against him.

But, he continues to hold the additional charge on the basis of an oral instruction from Minister K. N. Rajanna.

This move has upset the women staff and the women’s organisations, who had sought action against him for alleged misconduct at the workplace.

A complainant said, “Instead of taking suitable action against him after a probe, the government is allowing him to hold the post. We did not expect this from the government and ministers, who had assured safety and security of women employees in medical institutions after the tragic rape and murder of a medical student in Kolkata.”

Ends/

Links to related reports

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/lokesh-relieved-as-district-surgeon-following-allegations-of-harassing-women-staff/article68931948.ece

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hims-associate-professor-earlier-suspended-on-charges-of-misconduct-appointed-district-surgeon-in-hassan/article67671318.ece

Published - December 04, 2024 11:44 am IST