BENGALURU: Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa has taken up a suo motu case over the use of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) premises at Arakere village in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district to celebrate the birthday of Congress MLA Ramesh Babu Bandisiddegowda’s mother. The premises were also allegedly used by artists participating in the event to record reels and for make-up in a room meant for paediatrics.
Treating media reports on the incident as the source to register a case of maladministration under the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, Justice Veerappa initiated proceedings against paediatrician and In-charge Administrative Medical Officer of the PHC, Thibbegowda; District Health Officer Bettaswamy; Taluk Health Officer Dr Chetana; and Panchayat Development Officer M Ravikumar. He directed them to appear in person on October 5 with explanations to the various questions raised in the proceedings.
In order to take appropriate action in the matter, the Upa Lokayukta marked a copy of the proceedings to the Additional Chief Secretary, Commissioner of the Health and Family Welfare Department, and Deputy Commissioner of Mandya.
Citing media reports dated August 21, 2026, the proceedings stated that Dr Thibbegowda allowed the women’s doctor’s room in the paediatrics department to be used by artists participating in the 80th birthday celebrations of Vijayalakshmi Bandisiddegowda, former MLA and mother of MLA Ramesh Babu Bandisiddegowda.
The room was also used for make-up, and reels were shot before being made public.
In view of this, Justice Veerappa directed the Lokayukta police in Mandya to visit the PHC and submit a report. Accordingly, the report was submitted on September 5, confirming that the official premises had been illegally permitted for a private event and birthday celebrations.
The room was meant for treating women but was given to artists. The premises inside the PHC compound were also permitted to be used for cooking food for the event, allegedly heeding the pressure of influential local leaders.