Fake Doctors to Face Strict Legal Action, Says Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader

Speaking to reporters in Dharwad on Saturday, Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader warned that anyone caught practising medicine without a licence will be hit with “stringent legal action”. He added that the responsibility does not stop at the quack – the District Health Officer (DHO) and Taluk Health Officer (THO) overseeing the area could also be hauled up if the rogue doctor is discovered during an inspection.

Khader said an official order spelling out the penalties would be circulated “shortly”, signalling that the state is moving from talk to concrete enforcement. “If a fake doctor is found during an inspection, the concerned DHO will be held responsible and action will be taken,” he told the press.

The minister used the occasion to touch on a few other public‑health concerns. He reminded citizens that the state has banned the sale of paan‑masala and gutka containing tobacco and nicotine, urging people to stay aware of the health hazards and quit the habit.

On food safety, Khader said Karnataka is stepping up inspections at hotels, restaurants and other eateries. “Consumers should look beyond the façade of an establishment and focus on quality and safety,” he said, encouraging the public to report any unhygienic practices.

To make reporting easier, the government has introduced a QR‑code system that lets anyone flag violations on the spot. Officials have been instructed to spread the word so that the tool gains traction quickly.

When asked about the Enforcement Directorate’s probe into senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Khader dismissed it as “targeted politics”. He claimed that most ED cases have been aimed at Congress leaders and that many were closed after investigations found no wrongdoing, while similar scrutiny was not applied to BJP figures. He warned that politicising investigative agencies does not serve the state’s future.

Khader’s statements underline a broader push by the Karnataka government to tighten the leash on health‑related misdemeanours, from bogus medical practice to tobacco use and food adulteration, signalling a more aggressive regulatory stance in the coming months.