Kerala nursing recruitment scam: Uthup Varghese remanded in shooting case

Kottayam: The Kottayam district and sessions court on Wednesday remanded Uthup Varghese, the accused in the nursing recruitment fraud, to 14 days judicial custody in a case for allegedly shooting a native of Puthupally.

Uthup allegedly shot John M Kuriakose alias Jojy, of Puthupally, Kumaramkode, Mylakkad on the evening of October 13, 2009. Mr John was speaking to a person on his land when the accused allegedly shot him with a revolver. What provoked the incident was Mr John questioning Uthup for the latter’s alleged connections with his sister-in-law.

According to the police, Uthup absconded to Afghanistan after the incident. However, he was later nabbed by the police from Nedumbasserry airport.

Uthup,who secured bail from the court, absconded again after the incident. The business partners of Uthup including CP Premraj and Ramesh who stood surety in order to secure bail for the accused were punished by the court.

It was on March 29 that CBI arrested him fom Nedumbassery, two years after CBI and Interpol had issued lookout notice for him.