Chhattisgarh ex-CM’s son-in-law quizzed by cops over alleged financial scam

Puneet Gupta was arrested and later released on the basis of the anticipatory bail he had acquired from Chhattisgarh High Court.

Chattisgarh Police on Monday arrested Puneet Gupta, son-in-law of former chief minister Raman Singh in a case of alleged irregularities in a government run hospital of which he was the superintendent.

Puneet Gupta, son-in-law of former chief minister Raman Singh was questioned by Raipur police on Monday in a case of alleged irregularities in a government-run hospital of which he was the superintendent. (Representative Photo)

Gupta was arrested and later released on the basis of the anticipatory bail he had acquired from Chhattisgarh High Court. Gupta reached Gol Bazaar police station on Monday and recorded his statement after fourth notice was served by Raipur police. Earlier, a lookout notice (LOC) was also issued by the police against Gupta to ensure that he would not be able to leave the country.

“Gupta was questioned for about four hours by a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) rank officer at Gol Bazar police station where the case was lodged against him in March this year,” said Raipur superintendent of police, Arif Sheikh. He added that during interrogation Gupta’s replies were unsatisfactory and he will be served another notice for further questioning.

The SP said Chhattisgarh government has already filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court to get his anticipatory bail rejected. “The matter is listed for hearing on Tuesday,” the SP said.

Gupta was allegedly booked for committing irregularities to tune of Rs 50 crore when he was superintendent of state-run Dau Kalayan Singh (DKS) post graduate research centre, in Raipur, during the BJP government’s rule.

The case against Dr Gupta was lodged by present DKS superintendent, Kamal Kishore Sahare, with Gol Bazar police station on March 15.

According to the FIR, Gupta during his tenure as superintendent of the centre, connived with others and committed financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 50 crore and caused a huge loss to the state exchequer.

“Dr Gupta and others were booked under section 409 (Criminal breach of trust by public servant), 420 (cheating), 467 (Forgery of valuable security), 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC,” the SP said.

After the Congress took over in December last year, the state government had received complaints about alleged appointments in violation of rules in the hospital and other financial irregularities during Gupta’s tenure. A three-member committee was set up look into the complaints on February 15 2019. On basis of the committee’s report in mid-March, a case was registered, officials said.