Bench divided on lie-detection test for Ramalinga Raju

Mr B. Ramalinga Raju

Source:Business line Bureau,Hyderabad, April 23

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday delivered a split verdict on a petition by the Central Bureau of Investigation seeking permission to conduct lie-detection test on Mr B. Ramalinga Raju, founder and former chairman of Satyam Computer Services Ltd.

The two-member Bench took divergent views with Mr Justice Gopal Reddy declining permission for the test and Mr Justice Govinda Rajulu approving the CBI's request.

The plea will now be referred to a third judge.

Meanwhile, on directions from the Special Court trying the Satyam fraud case, the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) had submitted the case sheet of Mr Raju to the court.

Earlier, the CBI had contended that Mr Raju — who is undergoing treatment for Hepatitis C at NIMS — was intentionally delaying the court proceedings citing health reasons. The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Mr B. V. L. N. Chakravarti, then directed the NIMS authorities to submit daily reports on Mr Raju's health.