Pune: Incarcerated Inspector General of Police Sridhar Wagal, an accused in the multi-crore fake stamp paper racket, today (July 9, 2004) filed an application in the Special Court seeking bail on health grounds.

Wagal through his counsel filed an application praying for release on the grounds that he was suffering from 'hyper retinopathy' for which he was admitted to Sasoon Hospital and then Ruby Hospital of city.

Wagal's counsel in his application said the condition of his client was rapidly deteriorating and he needs to undergo a "Digital Suspocation Angioplasty with SOS intervention."

This facility was, however, not available in the city hospitals and hence he was being advised to be treated elsewhere.

Hence it was clear that his client was not in a physical and proper mental condition to face or stand for trial and therefore he may be released on bail, the application said.

The Special court has asked the CBI to file its say on July 13.

Vagal was the first high-ranking IPS officer to be arrested in connection with the scam. He was arrested on November seven last yea under the stringent provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

He is being accused of taking bribes from Telgi when the latter was in police custody from Nov 2002 and January 3.