Patna: A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court today (Dec 19, 2003) sent Ranjit Singh, the alleged Kingpin of the Common Admission Test (CAT) paper leak scandal, and three of his accomplices to 10 days CBI remand in connection with the leak of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Medical and Dental test, 2003.

Ranjit and three others, Arun Kumar Sinha, Manoj Kumar and Harishanker Chaudhary, were produced before the Special Judge B N Sahay, who remanded them to CBI custody for interrogation on the request of Special Public Prosecutor (CBI) L R Ansari.

Ansari sought 15 days' CBI custody for Ranjit and his associates, but the court permitted only 10 days' remand.

Pleading the case for remand of the four accused, Ansari said, the gang was involved in the leak of CBSE Medical and Dental test papers which were sold for Rs 8 to Rs 10 lakh per examinee.

He said the CBI remand of the accused was also necessary as they were involved in leak of test papers of many other entrance examinations.

Appearing for Ranjit and his associates, Rajeev Ranjan Dwivedi and Harishanker Chakradhari contended that their clients were falsely implicated in the case.

''What is the justification of filing an First Information Report (FIR)-in the CBSE medical and dental test-eight months after the alleged leak of the papers?'' they asked saying the entire exercise seemed motivated.

The defence lawyers said they apprehended torture on their clients by the CBI sleuths during interrogation and prayed for court's direction to the investigative agency to allow presence of at least one of the defence counsels during interrogation, which was granted.

PTI