HC grants interim bail to Dr Paltewar

NAGPUR: In a respite to Dr Sameer Paltewar, managing director and chairman of Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Thursday, granted him an ad-interim bail from the offences lodged against him.

Before granting interim bail, Justice

Murlidhar Giratkar

observed that the case prima facie, seems to be of civil nature. He directed the petitioner to join investigation and attend the police station for inquiry, as and when required. The judge issued notice to the Maharashtra government through Sitabuldi Police Station, before adjourning the hearing till February 27.

Dr Paltewar through senior counsels Sunil Manohar and Avinash Gupta and assisted by Aakash Gupta knocked HC’s doors after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the sessions’ court here on January 29. Assistant public prosecutor Trupti Udeshi pleaded on the government’s behalf.

Offences against the petitioner was lodged on a complaint by his partner Ganesh Chakkarwar, who accused him of committing cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy that led to fraud of around Rs4 crore in one of leading hospitals of the city. The offences were registered by the crime branch after conducting a preliminary inquiry that included allegations of embezzling government health scheme funds.

Chakkarwar had accused Dr Paltewar of misusing his powers and influence in the hospital management to overcharge patients being treated under various health schemes of the central and state governments for citizens below poverty line (BPL). Dr Paltewar is believed to have taken several unilateral decisions keeping the complainant in dark. It was alleged that many others in hospital had colluded with him in committing forgery and other illegal financial transactions.