GUWAHATI, Nov 18 - Prime accused in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) recruitment scam, Rakesh Paul today sought relief from court citing his �ill-health�, which, however, was denied, after investigators submitted that there was nothing serious about APSC chairman�s health condition and that he was being medically examined every 24 hours.
Paul, who was produced in the Special Court, Assam (Guwahati), pleaded for relief claiming that he was a diabetic and was suffering from high blood pressure and chest pain. Police, in their counter arguments, submitted that Paul�s health was being examined by competent doctors and the accused is not suffering from any serious ailments.
With the defence today not pressing for the bail petition, the court remanded Paul to judicial custody and he will be produced in the court again on December 3.
Meanwhile, police last night recovered Rs 9.5 lakh and some incriminating documents from the Hatigaon house of arrested APSC member Samedur Rahman and the court has asked the investigators to deposit the amount in the State treasury.
Asked why the police have not sought for extension of police remand and whether the government was soft-peddling on the issue, special public prosecutor BK Mahajan said, �Paul was in police custody for 14 days, the maximum period allowed under the court of law. There is no scope for additional period of police remand in this case.�
Defence lawyer Anshuman Bora, talking to media, said that the accused is cooperating with the investigation. He said, �The government is trying to divert the issue of Hindu Bangladeshis by such moves.�
