``The team, which landed here on Tuesday, had requested Joint Director U V Padiyar to remain present during checking of papers but she turned neither on Wednesday nor Thursday,'' Thakker told Express Newsline.

Thakkar said all the six cupboards that were supposed to contain vital papers regarding purchases had been sealed on Wednesday evening in presence of witnesses including Regional Deputy Director of Health, Vadodara, V M Shah.

He said a message was sent again to Padiyar on Thursday asking her to cooperate with the probe team, which had been instituted a year ago, but she failed to respond. ``The cupboards had hence to be broken open in presence of witnesses,'' he stated, adding that ``ever since the institution of inquiry against her, she has been non-cooperative and always given evasive replies''. In all, six cupboards were broke open with the help of a local lock vendor and relevant files seized, Thakkar said, stating that it would take some time to study the papers to find out as to what kind of embezzlement or irregularities had been made. ``We will carry the files to Gandhinagar for indepth investigation,'' he stated.

Padiyar, who has been heading the institute since May 1, 1986, is retiring on December 31 this year. Repeated efforts to contact her at her residence proved abortive. No one picked up the telephone which remained buzzing continuously.