Patna, Jan 7 : A day after the death of Gautam Goswami, key accused in the Rs.170 million Bihar flood relief scam of 2004, his father alleged that he died of tension after being trapped in a baseless charge.

Utpalendu Goswami, father of Gautam, said his son was falsely accused in the case and sent to jail. "He was disturbed, worried. Mental tension cost his life."

"He was pushed to the wall. He was falsely accused in the scam. He was innocent, Gautam always told us," Utpalendu added.

He said because of the tension, Gautam developed cancer and died.

Utpalendu also charged senior officials, saying that those who were jealous of Gautam's fame at the national and international levels conspired against him and fabricated a case.

"Gautam also hinted at involvement of some politicians including those who were in power. He was made a scapegoat," he said.

Gautam Goswami, a 1991 batch IAS officer, died Tuesday morning after losing his battle with cancer. He was suffering from multi-organ cancer for over a year and was on a life support system for three days at the ICU of a private hospital here.

He was accused of swindling funds meant for providing relief to flood-hit victims of north Bihar in 2004. An inquiry by the vigilance bureau was ordered when president's rule was enforced in 2005.

Gautam is survived by his wife Anuradha, son Vishal, 10, and six-year-old daughter Pratigya.

(IANS)

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