CBI charges doctors for prolonging Raju's treatment

Central Bureau of Investigation, probing the multi-crore financial fraud in Satyam Computers, alleged on Thursday that doctors were prolonging the treatment of the company's former chairman B Ramalinga Raju only to delay the trial in the case.

Raju, the prime accused in the scam who is suffering from Hepatitis-C is currently undergoing treatment at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences.

A senior NIMS doctor last December recommended immediate in-patient treatment of Raju for 6-8 weeks, which he said was not possible on out-patient basis.

The special court trying the Satyam scam cases in Hyderabad last month ordered the NIMS director to file a detailed report on the current status of Raju's health after he did not appear before the court in view of his treatment.

Following the directions, the professor and head of gastroenterology department of NIMS Dr Ajit Kumar, who filed a report last week before the court, filed another report on Thursday saying, "The treatment of Raju needs to be continued as in-patient for further four-six weeks, as he carries very high risk for morbidity on out-patient management."

Strongly reacting to the report, CBI's deputy legal advisor B Ravindranath said, "Initially they (NIMS doctors) said, Raju requires 6-8 weeks treatment, but now it's over four months that Raju is in the hospital. The treatment is being prolonged for delaying the trial in the case."

Following the objections, special judge B V L N Chakravarti, directed the prosecution to show legal provision, in case the accused is not produced and posted the matter for March 18.

Meanwhile, the court also extended the judicial remand of all the 10 accused till March 18.