Patna, Feb 6 :Gautam Goswami, a former Patna district magistrate and a key accused in the Rs.170 million ($3.86 million) Bihar flood relief scam of 2004, is battling for life in a Lucknow hospital with acute jaundice.

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official is seeking forgiveness from people for any breach of trust, but maintains his innocence, says his father-in-law Ashok Upadhyay.

Goswami was admitted at the Lucknow based Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute Jan 17 after his condition deteriorated in Patna.

"His condition is critical and he is battling for life due to acute jaundice in Lucknow," Upadhyay told IANS over the phone from Bihar's Dalsinghsarai town.

Goswami, named Time magazine's Asian Hero in 2005 for exemplary work in flood relief, has been ailing with jaundice for over a month. He contracted the disease during his stay in jail.

"His liver has been badly damaged. Physicians treating him have said there was no assurance of his life and recovery," Upadhyay said.

"In view of his deteriorating health, Goswami requested me to seek pardon on his behalf from the judiciary, the executive and the public for breach of trust, if any. He is repentant about what has happened," he added. "He said he is a victim of conspiracy."

Goswami is an accused in the case relating to the alleged swindling of funds meant for providing relief to flood-hit people of north Bihar in 2004. An inquiry into the matter by the vigilance bureau was ordered when president's rule was in force in the state in 2005.

A first information report (FIR) was filed against Goswami and 27 others in the case on May 28, 2005. Later, all the accused and scam kingpin Santosh Jha, a relief material supplier, surrendered and were sent to jail.

After spending over a year, he was granted bail by the Patna High Court in 2006.

(IANS)