Monday, July 4 2005 19:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: The Vigilance Bureau today (July 4, 2005) said that former Patna district Magistrate Gautam Goswami was not co-operating with his interrogators in connection with the Rs 17 crore-flood relief and it was likely to seek extension of his remand, which expires tomorrow (July 5, 2005).

"Goswami is not cooperating with us and he remains silent on issues which can connect him with the scam," a senior bureau official told sources in Patna today on the fourth consecutive day of interrogation.

The official, however, said, that their efforts would continue and "we may seek extension of his vigilance remand which expires tomorrow if we fail to elicit details".

"Goswami has not made any startling revelation so far. He always pleads innocence arguing that the relief operation was carried out in accordance with the directives of his seniors from time to time", he said.

The Vigilance Bureau, however, denied application of third-degree means while grilling the scam-tainted officer a main accused in the swindle.

The designated Vigilance judge Jitendra Mohan Sharma had on July 1 allowed the Bureau to take Goswami on five days remand for interrogation.

When contacted, Neelmani, Additional Director General of Bureau said all possible medical help was being arranged for Goswami.

After evading arrest for a month, Goswami had on June 30 surrendered at the special court here after the Patna High Court rejected his anticipatory bail application in the case.