Doctor challenges arrest; Court directs CCTV footage preservation in Rs 2.5 lakh bribery case
Bribe
Panchkula: In a significant development in the Rs 2.5 lakh bribery case, a special CBI court in Panchkula has directed the preservation of CCTV footage from two locations after the accused doctor challenged the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
According to the news reports, the doctor who was arrested by the anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the first week of February filed an application before the Special Judge, CBI, Panchkula. In his plea, the doctor sought directions to preserve CCTV footage from Murthal Haveli in Murthal and the NFL Guest House in Panipat.
Also Read:Panipat medical officer caught red-handed in Rs 2.5 lakh bribery case
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that a medical officer was caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) wing of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh for referring patients to a private hospital. The arrest took place at a dhaba in Murthal, where the money was reportedly handed over in exchange for patient referrals.
Allowing the plea, the court ordered the manager of Murthal Haveli, Murthal, to preserve CCTV footage of the fast food lawn area and front parking area between 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm on February 6.
Similarly, the person in charge of the NFL Guest House, Panipat, has been directed to preserve CCTV footage of the main entrance and reception area from 6 pm on February 6 till 5 am on February 7.
The court further instructed both authorities to produce the preserved footage as and when required during the proceedings. Copies of the order have also been sent to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Murthal and the SHO of Police Station Industrial Area, Sector-29, Panipat, to ensure compliance.
In his application, the doctor contended that the CBI had stated he was arrested at 8.25 pm on February 6 at the NFL Guest House in Panipat. However, he claimed that he had actually been apprehended earlier, between 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm at Murthal Haveli in Murthal. He argued that the CCTV footage from both locations would help establish the exact sequence of events and was essential for ensuring justice.
The CBI’s public prosecutor opposed the plea, contending that preserving the footage would serve no useful purpose. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court allowed the application in the interest of justice.
Also Read:SCB Medical College Doctor detained, Rs 2.63 lakh cash seized
