KGMU professor sacked days before retirement over private practice allegations

Lucknow: Since private practice is completely banned in the state, King George’s Medical University (KGMU) has terminated the services of the head of the pharmacology department, over allegations of engaging in private practice. The move comes just three days before his retirement.

According to KGMU spokesperson Prof. KK Singh, a disciplinary committee found him guilty, and the council was reportedly not satisfied with the explanation he gave. Therefore, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Soniya Nityanand, along with the university's executive council, decided to terminate his services in a meeting held recently.

Medical Dialogues in February 2023 reported that a King George’s Medical University (KGMU) professor was found running a private hospital in the city. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has expressed serious concern over the inability of the state authorities and KGMU administration to take action against him.

Also read- KGMU doctor found running private hospital, HC notice to institute administration

On July 4, the council held an emergency meeting where a 180-page chargesheet was approved, and the professor was given six days to respond. He later asked for more time to reply, but this request was denied in another emergency meeting held on July 10.

However, the allegations were strongly denied by the professor and called them "completely false, baseless and fabricated." He claimed that the decision was taken with the intent to damage his reputation and career.

TOI reported that officials said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier launched an investigation into the professor's finances. The probe reportedly revealed that he owned assets beyond his known income and was found guilty of engaging in private practice while serving as a public servant.

The ED also found evidence that he was involved in unauthorised private medical practice while holding a full-time government position — an act that constitutes criminal misconduct.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Karnataka government issued a stern warning to government doctors against engaging in Private practice during duty hours. Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil warned that doctors working in government medical colleges who violate this rule will face disciplinary action, along with deductions in their leave days and salary.

Most states in India prohibit government doctors from engaging in private practice during duty hours. Now, Karnataka doctors working in government medical colleges and hospitals have been asked to follow these warnings accordingly.

Also read- Karnataka Govt enforces strict duty hours, bans private practice for doctors