The criminal case registered by the Tallakulam police against a city doctor, P. Saravanan, in connection with the “supply of stents past expiry dates” by a surgical equipment dealer here has been transferred to the Central Crime Branch.
Based on the order of Madurai City Commissioner of Police, Shailesh Kumar Yadav, the case was transferred to CCB on Wednesday. Police sources said that the Tallakulam police had handed over all the documents pertaining to the case to officials of the CCB.
The Tallakulam police, on June 3, registered a case of criminal intimidation, criminal trespass, hurting with dangerous weapons and using abusive language against Dr. Saravanan, Managing Director of a private hospital at Narimedu, and his staff. The supplier of stents, R. Amar Karthik, had lodged the complaint.
Meanwhile, the CCB registered a criminal case against the suppliers, Ramasubbu and his sons Amar Karthik, and Sundareswaran, for endangering lives (of patients), cheating and criminal conspiracy on June 5, based on a complaint lodged by Dr. Saravanan.
The doctor had alleged that the suppliers had bribed two of his technicians for “stealthily” supplying stents that had past expiry dates without the knowledge of the hospital administration.
He also complained that he had reported the “crime” to the Drug Controller.
“Since the cases were counter in nature, the case against Dr. Saravanan has been transferred to CCB, which is already pursuing the other case,” a police officer said.
Gathering details
The CCB officials, who have begun the investigation, are collecting details about the safety procedures that are normally adopted both by the supplier and the doctor/hospital regarding stents with doctors of government and private hospitals, police sources said.
No arrest had been made in the case, so far, as the accused had either obtained interim advance bail or absconding, the police said.
