Dr Death granted bail in Australia

Melbourne, Jul 21: Dr Jayant Patel of Indian origin, who acquired the sobriquet 'Dr Death' for botching up several surgeries, has been granted bail by a Brisbane magistrate on manslaughter charges.

Magistrate Brian Hine on Monday, July 21 afternoon agreed to grant bail to Dr Patel, after considering a request by his legal team in Brisbane Magistrates Court. Mr Hine ordered Dr Patel provide a $20,000 cash surety. Dr Patel will also have to live at a place approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions, report to police three days a week and not leave Queensland or approach an international airport.

He will surrender his passport and cannot communicate with witnesses.

Two Queensland detectives brought Dr Patel back to Australia on a Qantas flight from Los Angeles. He was taken straight to waiting police cars, which drove into Brisbane''s CBD to the watchhouse, accompanied by several police motorcycles.

Before his departure from the US yesterday, Dr Patel was not allowed to meet his friends and family members, although he was allowed to make several private telephone calls.

His wife, Kishoree, who is also a doctor in Portland, Oregon, has not accompanied her husband.

However, she is expected to attend his trial.

He faces 13 charges including manslaughter, grievous bodily harm and fraud, relating to his time at Bundaberg Base Hospital in southern Queensland between 2003 and 2005.

ANI