Vijayawada: Anti-Corruption Bureau continued its interrogation of TDLP deputy leader K. Atchannaidu in the multi-crore ESI scam on the consecutive third day on Saturday at the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Guntur.
High drama was witnessed at the GGH as ACB officials concluded Atchannaidu’s interrogation on Saturday afternoon. But they restarted their questioning again in the evening claiming court has given them time till midnight to question the TDLP deputy leader.
According to reports, the ACB took up interrogation again in the evening as Atchannaidu did not cooperate with officials, who questioned him about his phone calls to officials directing them to issue purchase orders at exorbitant prices. He was also interrogated about influencing officials in ESI with his recommendation letters to finalise the tender in favour of a particular company.
The TDLP deputy leader reportedly denied his involvement in finalisation of the tender. His refrain was that ESI directors purchased materials, goods and medicines by paying exorbitant prices and he was in no way connected.
Atchannaidu's advocate Maguluru Haribabu said the TDP MLA stated before ACB that the union government had written letters to the state government about modernising ESI with the latest equipment. But the then government did not respond to two letters. As minister of labour, Atchannaidu responded to the third letter asking officials to follow whatever norms and rules that the adjacent Telangana state followed.
Lawyer Haribabu further mentioned that Atchannaidu claimed that he did not force ESI to make purchases at exorbitant prices. He just advised them to study telehealth services being implemented in other states and proceed accordingly. The lawyer said the TDLP leader also clarified that he did not pressurise officials on finalisation of tenders or purchase orders at exorbitant prices.
Meanwhile, the court has extended the remand of Atchannaidu till July 10. His advocate Haribabu said the TDLP deputy leader’s bail petition will come for hearing on Monday in the court.
