Agusta scam: Rajeev Saxena records statement

Rajeev Saxena, one of the main accused in the AgustaWestland money laundering case, recorded his statement before an additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM) in a Delhi court. Saxena had earlier moved an application to turn approver in the case, and the CBI will now hear the matter on Friday.

Sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said Saxena's statement mentions the names of Ritu Puri, nephew of Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, and alleged middleman Sushen Mohan Gupta. He has also mentioned Gautam Khaitan's name in the statement.

The latter, another accused in the case, is currently lodged in Tihar jail. The sources also said Saxena had named Ritu's father Deepak Puri for receiving some parts of the kickbacks.

The statement, they said, runs into 23 pages and it took him three hours to record it. A copy of the statement was given to the investigating officer and another was sent to special CBI judge Arvind Kumar. Both Ritu and Deepak Puri have been issued notices by the ED. They have both denied all of Saxena's claims.