Thursday, June 9 2005 10:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Former Patna District Magistrate Gautam Goswami, evading arrest in connection with the multi-crore flood relief scam in Bihar, has been dismissed as senior vice president of Sahara India Company, company sources said today (Jun 9, 2005).

The company terminated his services with effect from June 6, senior Sahara group officials told sources over the phone from Lucknow. The same was confirmed by Goswami's lawyer Tuhin Shankar in Patna.

Goswami failed to submit some necessary papers as per the requirement of the organisation and it led to his termination, the sources said.

Goswami, who quit Indian Administrative Services to join Sahara group, was in trouble after the Vigilance Investigation Bureau probing the scam tightened its noose around him. He has been alleged as prime accused in the case.

Additional Director General of the Bureau Neelmani, meanwhile, said the department has sought legal advise to proceed against Sahara for allegedly not cooperating in the investigation process.

Goswami's anticipatory bail plea was rejected on June 6 by designated Vigilance Judge J M Prasad. The Bureau has announced Rs 1 lakh as reward for anyone providing information leading to Goswami's arrest.

An FIR was registered by the Vigilance Bureau against Goswami and 27 others on May 28 in connection with the case.