KOCHI: Interpol has arrested Uthup Varghese, the prime accused in the nurses’ recruitment scam, in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
The global law enforcement agency has intimated the CBI about his detention, sources said, but it was not immediately clear if it was only recording his arrest to ensure that he did not flee the country.
Mr Varghese recruited nurses for the Kuwait’s health ministry by charging nearly Rs 20 lakh as services charges from each job aspirant, 100 times the legally permitted fee.
According to the case filed by the CBI, he had amassed nearly Rs 300 crore recruiting nurses this way.
The Supreme Court had postponed hearing of his anticipatory bail application for a month a few days back. He moved the apex court after the Kerala High Court rejected his plea.
The CBI had served notices on him for appearing before the agency for interrogation.
Since he had refused to oblige, the agency issued a lookout notice and intimated the Interpol, which issued a red corner notice against him a week ago.
