CBI raids Sri Ramachandra Medical College chancellor’s premises; court adjourns his bail plea
CHENNAI: A day after Sri Ramachandra Medical College ( SRMC) chancellor V R Venkatachalam was arrested, CBI sleuths raided his residence and office in Chennai on Tuesday and seized ‘incriminating documents.’ They said Venkatachalam had several business transactions with alleged car smuggler Alex C Joseph.
“We have seized incriminating documents relating to car smuggling,” said a senior CBI official. He said, “We have enough evidence to substantiate that Venkatachalam had business transactions with Alex C Joseph beyond the car dealing business.” However, the official refused to divulge details on the seized documents.
Venkatachalam’s name appears in two cases of tax evasion registered by the CBI. Alex C Joseph, who is in judicial custody, is the prime accused in both cases. Other accused in the cases are yet to be arrested.
Venkatachalam was produced before a special court for CBI cases in Chennai on Tuesday morning. When he complained of health problems, he was sent to Stanley Medical College and Hospital.
Later, Venkatachalam’s counsel filed a bail petition for him. In his bail plea, Venkatachalam said he had been undergoing intensive treatment at the hospital for high blood pressure, diabetes and other ailments. As such, he could not appear for inquiry. He said he was ready to cooperate with the police.
Counsel for Venkatachalam said though the CBI had arrested Joseph, another prime accused, Muruganantham, was yet to be nabbed. Muruganatham, a senior investigation officer, directorate of revenue intelligence, had conducted the inquiry in the smuggling case and gave a false report to his department, the counsel said.
The court adjourned Venkatachalam’s bail plea to Wednesday.
Later in the evening, principal special judge for CBI J Krishnamoorthy visited Venkatachalam at Stanley Medical College and Hospital and extended his judicial custody till May 19.
Read full article: TOI
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