Ranchi, Aug 6 (IANS): Former Jharkhand health minister Bhanu Pratap Sahi Saturday surrendered in a CBI court in Ranchi for his suspected involvement in the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) financial misappropriation scandal, popularly known as the medicine scam.

Sahi surrendered in the court of Nityanand Singh. He was sent to 14 days judicial custody.

The former minister appealed for medical treatment complaining of chest pain. The court asked the jail authorities to take necessary steps for his medical check-up.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court Friday passed order to attach properties of Sahi and ex-health secretary Pradeep Kumar.

Another former health secretary Siyaram Prasad was arrested by the CBI in May in the NRHM scam.

There are allegations against the former health minister and ex-health secretaries that they purchased medicines, vehicles, medical equipment from 19 private firms at higher rates, causing huge financial losses to the state exchequer in 2008-2009.

Both Sahi and Pradeep Kumar were evading arrest for months. Pradeep Kumar was suspended in 2009 when the CBI had raided his house. The Jharkhand High Court this week rejected his anticipatory bail plea.