Arrested, Atram goes to hospital, not jail

Former minister of state for transport and tribal welfare Dharmaraobaba Atram was finally arrested on Saturday, months after he allegedly shot a chinkara at Gulunche village in Pune’s Baramati range on June 14.

Atram had surrendered on Thursday and the forest department recorded his statements over the next two days before finally arresting him. The Saswad court rejected Atram’s bail and remanded him to magisterial custody, citing the possibility that he would try to influence prosecution witnesses.

Once the court delivered the order, Atram complained of chest pain and was rushed to Sassoon General Hospital in Pune. After a few tests, Atram was admitted to a special ward.

Earlier, a forest department team led by sub-divisional officer Hanumant Dhumal arrested Atram and an accomplice Sayyad Ali Hussain at Bhor. Atram and Hussain were brought to the Saswad court at around 12.30 pm. A huge police force was deployed on the court premises.