In an attempt to avoid a criminal contempt action by the Lok Ayukta against a senior official of the health and family welfare department, the Karnataka government has revoked the suspension order of three officials of the State Drugs Control department.
The government had suspended three officials Kranti Kumar Bhaskar, deputy drugs controller, H Srinivas and Rama Murthy assistant drugs controller on March 30 for giving evidence before the Lok Ayukta in violation of Section 3 of the Karnataka Civil Service (Conduct) Rules 1956. The officials had deposed before the Lok Ayukta in connection with the alleged irregularities in the purchase of the drugs, unearthed during the Lok Ayukta raids on March 26.
Three officials citing suspension orders, pleaded with the Justice N Venkatachala, head, Lok Ayukta to excuse them from further investigations in the case, as they apprehended further action against the government.
Last week, the Lok Ayukta sought issuance of the notice to the principal secretary health and family welfare SL Gangadharappa seeking his explanation for interfering with the investigation by suspending the officials.
In the notice, Lok Ayukta asked why the criminal action should not be initiated against the principal secretary. The Lok Ayukta has directed him to personally appear during the next hearing of the case and give an explanation.
Earlier the Lok Ayukta officials raided the drugs control office and seized the spurious drugs. The investigating team found that the cases booked against the firm selling drugs at higher prices was withdrawn later., Even the test reports of the existing drugs like Dexamethazone, were given 11 months after they were received. The office equipment were not kept clean and even the microscopes used for testing were scattered around in the drugs testing lab.