Apollo doctor behind bars

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Sep 17 (UNI) A local court today remanded to 15 days' judicial custody the ex-cardiologist of the Apollo Group of Hospitals Jairam Iyer charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder during the treatment of local Mayor and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashok Pingle.

Dr Iyer surrendered to police at 1500 hours today and was presented before Judicial Magistrate Sanghratna Bhatpahre who rejected the accused's bail plea as Dr Iyer is also charged with tampering with evidence.

Mr Pingle was hospitalised after a cardiac arrest on August 2. He died on August 11 following another attack.

The Apollo management sent a team of four specialists that found Dr Iyer guilty of not attending to the patient despite being summoned. The physician was subsequently dismissed. The conclusion of a state government committee of three doctors concurred with that of the Apollo team.

UNI XC-AC JT KN2233