Nursing recruitment scam: Prime accused has underworld links

Agencies

The CBI team investigating the nursing recruitment scam has submitted in the Kerala high court that the case has international ramifications even though it is a national crime. Opposing the anticipatory bail petition moved by M V Varghese alias Uthup, the proprietor of tainted Al Zarafa Travel and Manpower Consultants, the investigation agency said that the accused is a hardcore criminal having underworld connections, especially abroad.

CBI officers said that it will take a final decision on issuing a lookout circular against Uthup on Friday when the high court will consider his anticipatory bail petition. "If solicited with pre-entry bail, the entire investigation of this high-handed crime would be an exercise in futility. This will also help the accused to avoid arrest and custodial interrogation which is highly essential to unearth this serious crime," said the CBI in the affidavit. The CBI has also said Uthup is an accused in murder case registered by Kottayam East police in 2009.

"Apart from not cooperating with the investigation, the accused is also trying to influence witnesses of the case and this will affect the investigation," the agency said. Sources said that Uthup, who is currently hiding abroad, threatened some of the candidates who have already been recruited to government hospitals in Kuwait. Uthup has forcibly collected money from some of the candidates who had not paid the full amount.

As per the CBI affidavit, Uthup had already earned more than Rs 100 crore by illegally collecting excess service charge from 1,200 nurses who were recruited to Kuwait. Though the agency was permitted to collect Rs 19,500 from each candidate, Uthup's agency collected Rs 19.5 lakh from candidates with the knowledge of the protector of emigrants (PoE), Kochi.

CBI is primarily involved in the case as PoE violated the Emigration Act and rules to support Uthup in conducting illegal recruitments.

CBI's is primarily involved in the case as POE violated Emigration Rules and Act, to support Uthup in conducting illegal recruitments. Though Uthup had the contract to recruit 1,200 nurses to Kuwait, he had exceeded the limit.

CBI officials said that it will take a final decision on issuing a look-out circular against Uthup on Friday when the High Court will consider the anticipatory bail petition moved by him.