The Enforcement Directorate has made another arrest in the Rs 3,600-crore VVIP choppers deal case. Defence Agent and alleged middlemen in the scam, Sushen Mohan Gupta, was arrested by the ED late on Monday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
“A large number of business entities were used to route funds that were used to pay kickbacks for swinging the deal in favour of AgustaWestland. Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Gupta was also involved in the process,” an official was quoted as saying by The Hindu.
As per reports, Gupta was arrested on the basis of information given by Rajiv Saxena, who had recently turned approver in the case following his extradition from UAE and subsequent arrest by the ED. It is believed that Gupta is in possession of certain payment details related to the case under investigation.
Yesterday, the Special CBI Court had accepted Rajiv Saxena’s plea to turn approver in the case. In his application under Section 306 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Rajiv Saxena had prayed for pardon in the case in exchange of full and true disclosure.
The Enforcement Directorate had ‘vehemently supported’ the application before the CBI Court. The Investigating Agency had stated that Rajiv Saxena had shown an inclination to ‘unravel the truth’ and that he would be an important witness in the case.
The investigation into the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam has seen great developments since middleman Christian Michel was extradited to India from Dubai. Several revelations have come to light, from the names of “Italian Lady”, to “Italian Lady’s son R“. From how Christian Michel was lobbying for the Eurofighter and against the Rafale deal, to how he had unbridled access to the PMO under Congress regime, the CCS and even the investigative agencies.
