Sameer Tatavarty Bharatam: cardiologist back on the roads after sentencing for driving with cocaine in his system

A cocaine-using cardiologist will be back driving on Queensland roads after he was busted driving with the drug in his system. Read why he’s back behind the wheel.

A cardiologist who has been charged with driving while cocaine was still in his system will be allowed back behind the wheel.

Sameer Tatavarty Bharatam, 40, pleaded guilty to driving with a drug in his system at the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday, where he applied to be allowed to drive for work purposes.

It comes just weeks after his partner, Amelia Elizabeth Scott, appeared in court over cocaine related charges. Scott, 33, pleaded guilty at the Southport Magistrates Court last week to drug possession and possessing a phone used in the commission of a crime.

The court heard the Robina cardiologist was apprehended by police while driving and submitted to a roadside saliva test on June 27, 2024.

He was then taken to Broadbeach police station for further testing, where cocaine was found to be in his system.

Cardiologist Dr Sameer Tatavarty Bharatam. Picture: supplied/Instagram

Dr Tatavarty initially told police he had not consumed any illicit drugs but later admitted to taking cocaine the previous weekend.

The court heard Dr Tatavarty, whose medical licence is currently suspended by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), is working as the director of his mobile cardiology clinic where he contracts other cardiologists.

Dr Tatavarty’s defence lawyer Nick Westcott said his client has a strong history of charity and the charge was out of character.

“It’s stupidity on his behalf at the end of the day,” he said.

“And it’s obviously impacted his career in a very substantial way.”

Acting Magistrate Thompson said she accepted the driving offence was out of character and that Dr Tatavarty had completed a Queensland Traffic Offenders Program.

“It’s surprising to see somebody with your qualifications not understanding something as basic as how long a substance such as cocaine will stay in your system,” she said.

She said she was satisfied Dr Tatavary could hold a restricted licence for the purpose of earning a livelihood as a director.

“Obviously your future is very much in the hands of AHPRA,” she said.

Dr Tatavary will be allowed to drive on the roads for only that purpose between 7.30am to 4.30pm from Monday to Friday.

He was fined $400 and disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for one month with no conviction recorded.

This isn’t the only drug-related charge that Dr Tatavary is before the courts for.

He’s also due to front court later this year over charges involving supply and possessing dangerous drugs after he was arrested as part of the police cocaine trafficking bust, Operation Victor Mosquito.

Originally published as Sameer Tatavarty Bharatam: cardiologist back on the roads after sentencing for driving with cocaine in his system