Mar 24, 2007Patna, March 24 (IANS) The much awaited trial in the multi-million-rupee Bihar flood scam will begin soon with the centre having sanctioned prosecution of Gautam Goswami, former Patna district magistrate and a key accused in siphoning of flood relief money in Bihar in 2004.
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension sanctioned the prosecution against Goswami Friday. The Bihar government had already granted permission to prosecute Goswami.
'A copy of the prosecution sanction against Goswami has been submitted to the special vigilance court,' a state vigilance bureau official said.
In November 2006, the Patna High Court had granted bail to Goswami. He was released from the city's high-security Beur jail, where he was lodged for over a year after he surrendered.
The court had earlier rejected his bail several times on the ground that prima facie evidence suggested his involvement in siphoning of funds meant for victims of the flood in 2004.
The state vigilance bureau, which probed the alleged irregularities in the distribution of relief material to flood victims of north Bihar districts in 2004, has submitted a chargesheet against Goswami and 11 other accused.
Goswami, ironically, was named an Asian hero by TIME magazine in 2004 for his work in providing relief to the state's flood victims.
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension sanctioned the prosecution against Goswami Friday. The Bihar government had already granted permission to prosecute Goswami.
'A copy of the prosecution sanction against Goswami has been submitted to the special vigilance court,' a state vigilance bureau official said.
In November 2006, the Patna High Court had granted bail to Goswami. He was released from the city's high-security Beur jail, where he was lodged for over a year after he surrendered.
The court had earlier rejected his bail several times on the ground that prima facie evidence suggested his involvement in siphoning of funds meant for victims of the flood in 2004.
The state vigilance bureau, which probed the alleged irregularities in the distribution of relief material to flood victims of north Bihar districts in 2004, has submitted a chargesheet against Goswami and 11 other accused.
Goswami, ironically, was named an Asian hero by TIME magazine in 2004 for his work in providing relief to the state's flood victims.
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