Former RG Kar Medical College Official Akhtar Ali Remanded to Judicial Custody Until February 17
In a significant development, former deputy superintendent of RG Kar Medical College, Akhtar Ali, has been sent to judicial custody until February 17. This decision came after a special CBI court at Alipore in Kolkata rejected his bail application on Tuesday.
Surrender and Court Proceedings
Akhtar Ali surrendered before the court following a judicial order. The surrender process, which began on Saturday, could not be completed within the stipulated timeframe that day. Ali arrived at the court to comply with the directive, marking a crucial turn in the legal proceedings against him.
Background of the Case
Last week, the special CBI court issued a non-bailable warrant against Ali after he repeatedly failed to appear before it. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Ali had skipped five summons from the court. His legal representatives argued that his absence was due to a medical emergency, claiming he was involved in an accident and hospitalized with a spinal injury.
Ali's Defense and Allegations
While entering the court on Saturday, Akhtar Ali maintained his innocence, stating that the allegations against him were baseless. He explained that he took a loan for his brother's treatment, which he initially failed to disclose to CBI officials during questioning. "When CBI officials questioned me about my bank accounts, I made a childish mistake by not telling them that I borrowed some money for my brother's treatment," Ali said on Tuesday.
Ali further alleged that he is being framed in a conspiracy, directly accusing former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh of involvement. He asserted that he would accept the fact if he was arrested, but stood by his claim of wrongful targeting.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
The rejection of the bail plea and subsequent judicial custody order underscore the seriousness of the case. The CBI court's decision to remand Ali reflects the judicial system's stance on compliance with court summons and the procedural aspects of the investigation.
As the case progresses, further hearings are expected to delve into the financial discrepancies and allegations of conspiracy. The judicial custody period will allow for continued investigation and legal scrutiny of the evidence presented by both the prosecution and defense.
