The Congress on Friday alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation is going soft on Montu Patel, Chairman of the Pharmacy Council of India and an office bearer of the BJP youth wing (BJYM) in Gujarat, in a multi-crore scam investigation.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters, Rajya Sabha MP and party spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil made these allegations.
“Since the CBI did not present all the facts before the court, the accused Montu Patel managed to get interim protection from arrest,” Gohil said, alleging: “Just because Patel is an office bearer of the BJP youth wing BJYM in Gujarat, the agency went soft on him and did not present the facts properly in the court.”
“The CBI must put the entire record of its investigation with evidence and proof before the court, so that his anticipatory bail is cancelled on the next hearing,” Gohil demanded.
Allegations against Montu Patel involve approval of pharmacy colleges without physical verification.
Giving details, Gohil said, there are allegations of a Rs 5000 crore scandal against Patel involving the approval of pharmacy colleges without any physical verification.
“As many as 870 colleges were approved within a short span of 13 days,” Gohil said while also playing an audio recording of bribe deals in return for granting recognition to pharmacy colleges.
Gohil demanded that BJP-affiliated members should be removed from the Pharmacy Council of India and an interim chairman be appointed, who should be a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge. He said, a new law should also be enacted to reconstitute the council, ensuring integrity and transparency in its functioning.