CBI granted 3 more days to question MCI president Desai

"Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, I deem it proper that the accused are required to be remanded to further police custody in the interest of investigation," Additional Sessions Judge O P Saini said while sending the accused to CBI custody till May 1.

The court allowed the plea of CBI that further custodial interrogation of the accused was required in view of their alleged non-cooperation in the ongoing probe into the case.
Terming the offence as "serious", the court said "rupees two crores were recovered from the office of alleged middleman J P Singh, which was allegedly brought by another accused Kanwaljit Singh and it was meant for Ketan Desai (MCI President) for granting permission for running MBBS course for session 2011-2012."

Desai, alleged middleman J P Singh, Sukhwinder Singh and Kanwaljit, both doctors of Patiala-based Gyan Sagar Medical College, are booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act dealing with inducing a public servant to accept bribe, criminal misconduct and payment of money.

The court, meanwhile, rejected the plea of one of the accused that he be provided with the transcript of the taped conversations relied upon by CBI."The accused is not entitled to the same at this stage of investigation. I find myself in agreement with the CBI prosecutor. The application is dismissed," the court said.

Earlier, the prosecutor said "one Paul (a mediator between the MCI president and the private college authorities) is yet to be arrested. Four accused, who have been assisted by a battery of lawyers, are not forthcoming. Their through interrogation is required to collect evidence in this case."

Searches to collect proof were still on and the custody of Desai was required to search some locked premises, he said, adding the accused are required to be confronted with the evidence collected so far.Opposing the CBI plea, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, counsel for Desai, said "custodial interrogation of his client was not required. If the CBI fails to arrest Paul, Desai cannot be kept in custody forever."

Based on contents of intercepted telephonic calls made among the accused, CBI had laid a trap outside the South Delhi residence of J P Singh, which led to the arrest of Singh and Kanwaljit On April 22, CBI said.Desai was arrested after searches at his office here following information that he was demanding a bribe to recognise the college.

Sukhwinder was arrested later, it said.During the investigation, CBI allegedly recovered several property documents in addition to five vehicles related to Desai from Mumbai.
Besides, CBI had also claimed to have recovered gold worth Rs 35 lakh from two bank lockers of Desai in Ahmedabad besides documents related to immovable properties.
Kanwaljit had allegedly delivered Rs two crore in cash at the house of Singh, which was to be paid to Desai for according recognition to the medical college at Patiala.