Karakonam Medical College scam: HC quashes CB report, asks to conduct detailed probe

KOCHI: The crime branch Neyyattinkara Judy has clarified that there is no evidence of financial irregularity in the case of fraudulently offering a seat at CSI Medical College, Karakonam. The High Court quashed the final report filed in the First Class Magistrate Court. The bench also directed the Crime Branch to submit its final report to the court within six months after conducting a detailed inquiry. Assessing that the investigation had been completed in a hurry and that many of the facts had not been examined, the High Court said that the inquiry team could approach the court if it needed more time.

A case was registered at Vellarada, Neyyattinkara and Museum police stations on the complaint that MBBS and MD seats were offered at Karakonam Medical College and after paying a capitation fee of Rs 92 lakh, the seats were not given. The High Court directed the Crime Branch to inquire into the petition filed by the complainant students alleging that the investigation was ineffective. College chairman Dr Bennett Abraham, a 2014 CPM candidate in the Lok Sabha constituency, and Bishop A Dharmaraj Rasalam were among the accused in the case, which was registered on charges of anti-corruption law, breach of trust, fraud and embezzlement. Last September, the High Court directed that the probe be completed within three months. The final report stated that there was no evidence of financial fraud. Plaintiff DN Calvin Cristo approached the High Court stating that this is a case with conclusive evidence and that the accused would escape if the court accepted the final report.