Bagalkot in Karnataka has seen allegations that a Congress MLA’s relative received a government doctor’s salary without regularly reporting for duty.
The person named in the inquiry is Angitha Aryaraghal, the niece-in-law of Bagalkot Congress MLA Umesh Metti. She was appointed on a contract basis in April 2025 as a doctor at a “Namma Clinic” in Vambe Colony, a Karnataka government initiative meant to provide free primary healthcare services to the poor. Her monthly pay is stated to be Rs 70,000.
According to the complaint, she was drawing the salary despite not attending the clinic. Bagalkot taluk medical officer Saraswathi Megi, during an inspection visit, reportedly found that Aryaraghal was not present and that she had allegedly been absent for months while continuing to receive pay.
The inspection also found that from March 2026 she has been pursuing a postgraduate medical course at a private medical college while also being shown as working as a doctor, which officials said violates rules. She was directed to appear for an inquiry but did not attend, and has now been asked to appear again on September 18.
Officials said that if the allegations are confirmed after the inquiry, salary and other benefits paid to her will be recovered, and further legal action is expected.
