Pearls Group investors stake claim over Gian Sagar assets

Gagan K Teja

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 24

The controversy pertaining to Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital has deepened with investors of Pearl Group today protesting against the move to hand over the college to a private firm. They were later canecharged by the police. Around 250 protesters were taken into custody.

Earlier demanding the cancellation of the alleged deal between Gian Sagar Educational and Charitable Trust and BJP leader Swaran Salaria, who claims himself to be the new chairman of the trust, the investors held a dharna in front of the college today by blocking the national highway. They also began an indefinite fast.

They claimed that since the family members of Nirmal Singh Bhangoo, the key accused in the Rs 45,000-crore PACL ponzi scam, had stakes in the institution, it should be included to the list of properties prepared by the Lodha Panel for sale to compensate the investors as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

Mahinderpal Singh Dangarh, president, Insaaf Di Awaaz Organisation, which has been struggling for action against fraud companies, said the Supreme Court had directed the Pearls Group to return the money to investors in February this year, but even after four months, nothing had been done yet.

Meanwhile, the staff continued their agitation as the management failed to release their salaries as promised. A doctor said even though Salaria had taken over a week ago and had promised to give their salaries in two days, not a penny was released. Moreover, power and water supply to the college continued to remain suspended, he said.

Some staff members alleged that Salaria had a tainted background and his own Chintpurni Medical College and Hospital in Pathankot was on the verge of closure.

Notice to college soon

Health and Medical Education Minister Brahm Mohindra said the government would soon serve a show-cause notice on the management to start the procedure to withdraw essentiality certificates given as a pre-requisite to start medical courses.