Karnataka ends Bagalkot Namma Clinic doctor's contract over PG course conflict
Karnataka has terminated the contract of a doctor at a Namma Clinic in Bagalkot after she was found to be a full-time postgraduate student.
The Karnataka government has terminated the contract of a doctor serving at a Namma Clinic in Bagalkot, after it emerged that she was simultaneously enrolled as a full-time postgraduate student at a private medical college in the district.
Ankita Yaragal was relieved of her duties at the clinic in Wambe Colony, Bagalkot town, following an order from the commissionerate of health. She had been working at the facility on a contract basis since April 2025.
The action followed a preliminary report by Gajanan Bale, the zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer, which recommended that she be relieved.
The case drew public attention after media reports noted her family connections: she is the daughter of Rajkumar Yaragal, the District Health Officer, and the niece of Umesh Meti, an MLA and Congress leader. Local activist Raju Naik had alleged that she joined a postgraduate course in pathology in March without resigning from her government clinic post.
A district-level inquiry was scheduled in Bagalkot on September 15, but Yaragal did not appear. She has been issued a fresh notice to report for the inquiry on September 18.
Speaking to reporters in Bagalkot on September 15, Rajkumar Yaragal said his daughter was appointed to the clinic by former DHO Manjunath Dodderi. He said he had not released her salary after taking charge as DHO, and that he had instructed the taluk health officer to relieve her from duty.