Judicial custody of AMRI directors extended

Kolkata : A West Bengal court on Thursday denied bail and extended till Jan 19 the judicial custody of six directors and two officials of the city’s AMRI hospital, where a fire last month killed 94 people.

“Considering the gravity and magnitude of the case as well as the fact that the investigation into the matter is still at nascent stage, I am not at all inclined to give bail to the accused. Their judicial custody is extended till Jan 19,” said Alipore Chief Judicial Magistrate C.H. Karim.

The defence counsel earlier sought bail for the accused and said that the prosecution had not yet been able to present any evidence that the case attracted the provisions of a non-bailable offence.

There was no likelihood of the accused absconding so they should be granted bail, said defence counsel.

The hospital is a joint venture between S.K. Todi-led Shrachi Group and the Emami Group led by R.S. Goenka with the state government also having a stake. Both Todi and Goenka are accused in the case.

The prosecution opposed the bail pleas and said with the directors being influential people there was a likelihood that they may tamper with evidence or influence witnesses.

Another hospital director and accused is under arrest and currently admitted to a state-run hospital.