Published 14:20 IST, August 22nd 2019
Ratul Puri applies to surrender to CBI in Agusta Westland case
Businessman Ratul Puri, on Thursday, has submitted an application stating that he wants to surrender before the CBI in connection with Agusta Westland case
In a major win for the investigating agencies, Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath's nephew Ratul Puri, on Thursday, has submitted an application stating that he wants to surrender before the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) in relation to the Agusta Westland Case, according to ANI. Puri - a businessman, is already in custody with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Moser Baer fraud case. He was taken in custody on Sunday. His father too has been named in the Moser Baer case.
Puri and the Moser Baer case
Earlier on Tuesday, the ED arrested Puri in connection with a bank fraud case of Rs. 354.51 crores after the CBI had filed a criminal case against Puri. He was summoned by the ED on Monday night after the CBI alleged that Puri and his accomplices had fabricated documents, which had reportedly caused heavy losses to the CBI. According to PTI, CBI had conducted searches at offices, residences for the former and present directors of Moser Baer company in the alleged bank fraud case. Those booked under bank fraud on Sunday include - Ratul Puri - the son of Deepak Puri, who is the owner and promoter of Moser Baer group in India, Directors Nita Puri, Sanjay Jain, and Vineet Sharma.
Previously on August 12, the IT Department had attached an Rs 300-crore bungalow in Delhi and FDI worth $40 billion of Ratul Puri and his father. The property attached in the case is in the name of Moser Baer firm. Furthermore, the IT officials had also informed that the assets booked also include an FDI of $40 million. ED said Puri was placed under arrest under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) late Monday night.
Puri and Agusta Westland Case
Puri is also facing severe trouble in the Agusta Westland case where the Income Tax Department has attached Rs 254 crore worth of "Benami" equity owned by Puri which he had allegedly received from a suspect in the Agusta Westland VVIIP chopper scam case via shell companies. On August 9, the CBI special court has asked to supply an action taken report (ATR) to Puri while dismissing his bail application. The Enforcement Directorate had said in court that he had run away amid his questioning. Judge Arvind Kumar also rejected Puri's application seeking a copy of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and statement under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Updated 15:09 IST, August 22nd 2019