Kerala HC directs FACT case accused to surrender before CBI

Kochi, Nov 10 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today directed the executive chairman of Mumbai-based ABC company Ardeshi Dubash, an accused in the Rs 80 crore FACT corruption case, to surrender before the CBI here on December five.

Disposing of the anticipatory bail application of Mr Dubash, Justice J M James directed senior counsel Ram Jethmalani, who appeared on his behalf, that Mr Dubash should surrender before the CBI at Kochi on December five at 1000 hrs.

The court directed the CBI to interrogate him for seven days from December five, between 1000 hrs and 1700 hrs.

The court did not accept the contention of CBI counsel S Sreekumar that the custodial interrogation of Mr Dubash was ''highly necessary'' to get to the bottom of the case, in which senior FACT officials allegedly colluded with Mr Dubash's company in paying exhorbitant charges for transportation of ammonia, causing a loss of more than Rs 80 crore to the public sector undertaking.

Justice James noted that the NBW issued by the CBI court against Mr Dubash had been withdrawn by the court.

UNI XR ARC RR DS1417