Enforcement Directorate investigating the alleged 36,000-crore chopper scam case
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's nephew Ratul Puri has been called in for questioning by the Enforcement Department in connection with the with the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam. The agency has told a Delhi court that it wants to know who is the "RG" referred to certain documents provided by Rajiv Saxena, an accused in the case who has turned approver.
Questioning why these issues come up only during elections, the Chief Minister said his nephew was "independent". "He has nothing to do with politics and I have nothing to do with his business. Whatever there is, it must be investigated," Mr Nath told reporters. Ratul Puri is the Chairman of Hindustan Power Projects Pvt Ltd. The Enforcement Directorate said his name came up in some documents provided by one of the accused.
The case involves a 2007 contract signed by then UPA government for the sale of 12 luxury helicopters for the use of top leaders -- including the President and the Prime Minister. In 2013, the government scrapped the contract amid allegations of kickbacks to the tune of Rs. 362 crore paid by Italian defence manufacturing group Finmeccanica to influence the deal.
In its affidavit, the Enforcement Directorate said, "More than 50 crores (have been) shown to have been received from one 'RG' between 2004-16 and Sushen Gupta ... an accused in custody ... is identifying RG as Rajat Gupta, while that Rajat Gupta is denying it is him."
Sushen Gupta was the alleged middleman who laundered the kickbacks of this deal for other accused. Sources in the agency said documents provided by Rajiv Saxena also show Ratul Puri's involvement in the matter.
"I have no involvement in this AugustaWestland Deal. I have my own business. Will cooperate with the probe," Ratul Puri said.
The Enforcement Directorate said the role of politicians and bureaucrats are still being investigated and another chargesheet will be filed.
Later in the day, the investigative agency filed a supplementary chargesheet in the case. The agency has named three new entities in the supplementary chargesheet: David Syms, a 56-year-old UK national who is allegedly an associate of middle Christian Michel; UAE-based firm Global Services Ltd and UK-based Global Trading Ltd.