The Kerala High Court on Friday turned down an anticipatory bail plea of Uthup Varghese, one of the accused in the nursing recruitment scam.
Justice K. Abraham Mathew, while dismissing the petition, observed that the court could not direct the investigation officer not to arrest the petitioner.
Opposing the bail plea, the CBI had submitted that the investigation had revealed an unholy nexus between Uthup, Managing Director of Al Zarafa Travel and Manpower Consultancy, Kochi, and another accused, L. Adolphus, former Protector of Emigrants, Ernakulam. The CBI told the court that 1,200 candidates selected for appointment as nurses in Kuwait government service had been cheated by the petitioner. The recruitment agency of the petitioner was still collecting money and documents in Kuwait. The arrest of the petitioner, who was still at large, was necessary to unearth evidence. The CBI said the petitioner was hiding in the Gulf.
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It was stipulated that the charges the agency may recover from the emigrants for services shall not exceed the amount equivalent to wages for 45 days as per the employment contract and subject to a maximum of Rs.20,000. As per the Emigration Act, those who collected charges in excess of the limits prescribed under the Act committed a cognisable offence. The CBI pointed out that Uthup had collected about Rs.100 crore by making the candidates believe that it was part of the recruitment process.
Look-out notice issued
Staff Reporter writes from Kochi: The CBI on Friday issued look-out notice against Mr. Varghese. The agency also secured an arrest warrant from its Kochi court against Mr. Varghese.
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Look out-notice has been passed to all airports and border check-posts along with passport details. Interpol in Kuwait will also be alerted.
The nursing recruitment scam accused hiding in the Gulf, says CBI