The state government seems to be ignoring its own orders on the suspension of officials accused of corruption.
In the last four months, 10 officials were arrested for allegedly accepting bribes, but none of them has been suspended.
The government’s inaction goes against its order to suspend government employees who spend 48 hours or more in judicial custody.
Eight of the officials were arrested in Bangalore and one each in Hassan and
Kolar.
Those arrested in Bangalore included Dr Vishwanatha, urologist at Jayanagar General Hospital, H V Venkatramu, joint director of training and administration of Kaushalya Bhavan at Dairy Circle, T Appachu, electric inspector at Malleswaram and Dr C E Raviprakash, district malaria
officer.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) work inspector Syed Ibrahim, assistant engineer S Ramu and Kengeri revenue inspector Savita and village assistant S Ramesh were the others arrested.
The arrested officials from Hassan and Kolar were Rudre Gowda from the Karnataka Government Insurance Department office and anganwadi worker T Prabhavathi, respectively.
Appachu was caught accepting a bribe on January 17, but has since been transferred to Gulbarga.
A senior police officer said in most of the cases, more than one letter has been sent to the government seeking the officials’ suspension. “But despite our repeated reminders, no action has been taken,” he said.
Four years ago, when there were refusals by various departments to sanction prosecution of tainted officials, the then chief secretary had issued a circular stating that the officials booked should be suspended immediately.
It also stated that after the three-month suspension, the official should not be given any executive posting.