Ex-Lava top officer sent impersonator to get heart test done for bail extension: ED

According to the ED, to get bail extension on medical grounds from the Delhi High Court, Rai allegedly sent the 50-year-old impersonator, who had heart issues, for the tests in his name at the AIIMS on Thursday.

On Friday, the ED filed an FIR with the South district police against the impersonator, identified as Naval Kishor Ram, a doctor from Vasant Kunj who allegedly arranged him, and Rai. Later in the day, police arrested Naval Kishor Ram and produced him before a Delhi Court, which sent him to judicial custody.

During questioning, Naval told the police that his daughter works with a doctor in South Delhi, and one of his doctor friends, who is based in Vasant Kunj, was looking for a patient with heart issues.

“He was lured with promises of free treatment. They first sent him to a Hauz Khas-based clinic on March 5 to conduct several tests. In all the reports, Rai’s name was mentioned instead of him,” an officer said.

“Naval was then asked by the Vasant Kunj-based doctor to visit AIIMS on Thursday along with a copy of a High Court order. Outside the hospital, he was received by one of their associates who took him to the office of cardiologist for examination,” the officer said.

On October 10 last year, the ED had arrested four persons, including a Chinese national and Rai, in connection with a money laundering probe against smartphone maker Vivo. The ED alleged that the accused had cheated the government by entering India in a “disguised and fraudulent manner to set up an elaborate Chinese-controlled network throughout the country… carrying out activities prejudicial to the economic sovereignty of India”.

On February 16 this year, the Delhi High Court granted interim bail to Rai for three months on medical grounds. On May 6, Rai filed an application for six-month extension of the interim bail in view of his heart condition. Reserving its order, the court asked the ED to conduct Rai’s medical examination at the cardiology department of AIIMS and submit its report.

Following the court’s direction, the ED coordinated with Rai over email and asked him to appear at AIIMS at 9 am on Thursday. It received an acknowledgement from Rai’s authorised representative, who also shared a mobile number for better coordination.

“At 9 am, three ED officers met with the medical superintendent of AIIMS and started waiting for Rai. They called on the mobile number, but it was picked up by Rai’s son, who told them that his father was on his way. At 10.37 am, they (ED officers) sent an email to the authorised representative of Rai and also sent a message on his mobile number,” the ED said in the FIR.

The ED informed the police that Rai did not appear. In the meantime, they received a reply from Rai’s son from his mobile number, informing that, “He is extremely unwell sir, he is in hospital under doctors care. Despite that, he is trying to come as soon as possible. As mentioned to you in person sir, I have been available at the MS office with all the original documents from AIIMS and other hospitals since 9 am. He should be here soon.” After waiting till 12.30, they sent another email and message, asking Rai to appear, but he did not.

After waiting for around four hours, the three ED officers along with an official of the medical superintendent’s office decided to meet the cardiologist to get his signature, confirming that the accused did not appear.

“They went inside the cardiologist’s office, and were informed that he was examining Rai, who was lying in a bed. The ED officers were shocked and they asked the patient to reveal his identity. Initially, the patient said he was Rai but when asked strictly, he disclosed his identity as Naval Kishore Ram. He was accompanied by his nephew Nitish Kumar,” an officer said.