A medical report purportedly issued by a hospital in the United States, cited by senior lawyer VK Lingam to support his absence from a contempt proceeding here, was forged, the Federal Court found today.

The report, dated May 10, this year, said that Lingam, 66, was unfit for long durations of travel, including by flight, as a result of a hip fracture and back pain he suffered.

The apex court made the finding after senior federal counsel Amarjeet Singh from the Attorney-General's Chambers, said that based on a search by the Immigration Department conducted this morning, it was found that Lingam had renewed his passport in London on June 14, this year – a month after the medical report was issued.

"Lingam left the country on Dec 23, 2013, and there is no record of him returning to the country," said Amarjeet, who also wanted the court to proceed with the contempt case, despite Lingam's absence...