The Bihar Vigilance Bureau interrogating former Patna district magistrate Gautam Goswami, the key accused in a multi-crore flood relief scam, is likely to seek an extension of his remand from the designated vigilance court as he has not revealed any important information so far.
"The bureau will soon file a plea in the court seeking extension of his remand," a top official of the bureau said.
He said during his interrogation, Goswami either remained silent for most of the time or denied his involvement in the embezzlement of flood relief funds stating that he had conducted the relief operations as per the directives of the top officials of the state administration.
A special court remanded Goswami to five days' police custody last Friday.
"Gautam's behaviour during interrogation is a deliberate move to pass time in police remand without revealing anything. But it is going to be tough for him if the remand is extended," the official pointed out.
Also see: Goswami guilty of another scam?
Goswami, who is being questioned by five teams, has refused to say anything about his relationship with Amitabh Arun, another accused in the scam.
Vigilance Bureau Additional Director General Neelmani has said nobody is being allowed to meet Goswami during his police remand. He is also not being allowed to use a phone or meet his lawyer.
Also see: Goswami guilty of another scam?
Goswami and his associates are accused of embezzling Rs 170 million meant for flood relief operations.
The Bihar government has already moved to dismiss Gautam from the Indian Administrative Service.
Officials said the government will file another criminal case against Goswami for allegedly sanctioning money to NGOs that didn't exist.
Bihar police chief Ashish Ranjan Sinha said that besides this, a disproportionate assets case will also be lodged against Goswami.
