Kundapur, after he allegedly assaulted a journalist at a restaurant in Udupi district.
According to sources, Dr Mahendra Kumar Shetty confronted Srikanth Hemmady, reportedly irked over his report alleging that a doctor at the hospital was collecting money from in-patients during treatment, and hit and abused him and issued him a death threat.
Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde took immediate action against the surgeon, who was on a 58-day medical leave from August 4, after CCTV footage of the alleged act was circulated on television channels and on social media.