Court issues warrant against ex-MCI chief in assets case

"Issue fresh production warrant for accused Ketan Desai to the Superintendent, Alipore Jail in Kolkata for September 20. The jail superintendent is directed to comply with the order," Special CBI Judge O P Saini said.

The court's order came on an application of CBI seeking fresh production warrant against Desai who was earlier taken to Kolkata by the investigators in connection with the ongoing probe. It asked the prison authorities to ensure his presence on September 20, the next date of hearing.

It had earlier dismissed Desai's bail plea in the disproportionate assets (DA) case saying he cannot be released on bail as the offence was grave. Moreover, the probe was at a nascent stage, it noted.

Desai, granted bail in a case of allegedly taking bribe to accord sanction to Patiala-based Gyan Sagar Medical College, was arrested afresh in the DA case. CBI registered the DA case against Desai, his wife and mother for having assets worth over Rs 24 crore.

The former MCI president was arrested on April 22 by CBI along with three others for accepting a bribe of Rs two crore to give permission to the private medical college to recruit a fresh batch of students.

The Delhi High Court had granted bail to Sukhwinder Singh, owner of Gyan Sagar Medical College, Kanwaljit Singh, one of the professors of the college, and J P Singh, an alleged tout involved in the corruption case.

All the four including Desai have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act dealing with inducing a public servant to accept bribe, criminal misconduct and payment of money.