Criminal cases against me are baseless: Ravindra

Dr H N Ravindra, Congress party candidate for the Legislative Council election from South Graduates constituency, on Friday, said that the criminal cases against him were baseless and the government had submitted a report to the Lokayukta in this regard.

Addressing press persons, here, Ravindra said that he had honestly served the people as a medical doctor. “The allegation against me about misuse of the salary of an employee is baseless. In the case, a second division assistant (SDA), Ramesh has played mischief,” Ravindra added.

It can be recalled that Dr K S Savitha of Belagodu PHC (primary health centre) in Sakleshpur taluk, had lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta against Ravindra, on September 9, 2008, alleging that he had misused her four-month salary, when she had been on maternity leave.

Based on the complaint, the Lokayukta had filed a criminal case against him and had taken him into custody from September 27 to October 1 in 2008. The Lokayukta submitted a charge sheet against Ravindra before Hassan Lokayukta court in 2013. Then, Ravindra was the administrative doctor at Balupet PHC and was in-charge of Belagodu PHC and Taluk Medical Officer of Sakleshpur.

When asked about the opposition from Congress party workers, Ravindra said, “All the party workers will support him. A few Congressmen are opposing as they were denied ticket. I will win the elections.”

He said that being a Medical Council of India executive committee member, Government Medical Officers Association president and Senate member of Rajiv Gandhi Health University, he has served the medical officers and also medical students.

“As I was a government servant, I could not identify with any political party. But, my father had served the party. So, after I resigned, I have been working for the Congress party,” Ravindra added.