Bangalore University Students’ Union Thursday submitted a complaint to Karnataka Lokayukta alleging corruption and abuse of power by the Registrar (evaluation) of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Dr Ramakrishna Reddy. Lokesh Ram, a PhD scholar at Bangalore University, alleged that Reddy misused his power to admit his son who did not pass the entrance examination, into a medical college. Clearing the entrance test is mandatory for admission into medical courses. Although a complaint was registered previously at the Karnataka Lokayukta, there has been no investigation against him, said Ram. With no positive development, Ram and other student activists have lodged a fresh complaint against Reddy with the Lokayukta and also the state chief secretary to start an investigation at the earliest. “According to norms, an MBBS aspirant has to clear an entrance test to enter the course. However, Dr Reddy’s son got into Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences without passing any of these in the year 2018-19,” the student activists complained. Dr Reddy joined as an assistant professor at Bengaluru Medical College and Research Centre on May 15, 2000. However, besides being a registrar, Reddy is also appointed to many posts in other departments. “The allegation is not about holding any posts, but Dr Reddy draws a salary and other benefits from these posts, which is illegal according to Service Rules,” Ram pointed out. Some of the posts he holds include assistant professor, community medicine, BMCRI; member secretary, Paramedical Board; Special Officer, Karnataka Nursing and Paramedical Sciences Education (Regulation) Authority; registrar (evaluation), RGUHS, and registrar (administration-in charge), RGUHS. D Harsha, general secretary, the Karnataka State Association Of the Management Of Nursing and Allied Health Science Institutions, had filed a complaint against Dr Reddy for availing salary and other perks from various departments where he holds posts on August 22, 2022. Dr Reddy was appointed as Paramedical Board member secretary on December February 12, 2019 while serving as an assistant professor at BMCRI (Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute). Later, he was appointed Special Officer at Karnataka Nursing and Paramedical Sciences Education (Regulation) Authority. On September 7, 2020, he was appointed as registrar (evaluation), RGUHS, claimed Ram. "While he was serving as the registrar, Dr Reddy was also part of four other departments and was drawing salary and other benefits. According to government rule, one official cannot hold many posts at once. But, Dr Reddy violated Service Rules," alleged Ram. Ram further alleged that the Government Audit Department, which has conducted a probe, alleged misuse of funds by Dr Reddy, which runs in several crores of rupees. Ram stated that the corruption included “illegal fixed deposit renewal (Rs 21 lakh) and (Rs 41.96 crore); illegal monetization, (Rs 6.8 lakh); illegal payment to staff (Rs 69.75 lakh); expenditure without documents (Rs 1.41 lakh); exam fee and fine payment (Rs 14.02 crore); counselling and illegal payment citing an exam (Rs 3.92 crore); special allowance and other allowances (Rs 29.52 lakh) and payments without bills (Rs 3.53 crore)”. "With a change of government, we are hoping that the current government led by the Congress party will be able to probe the issue and give justice," said Ram.
