VVIP Chopper Scam: Court allows Rajeev Saxena to turn approver

A Sepcial CBI court on Monday allowed Rajeev Saxena, an alleged middleman, to turn approver in the AgustaWestland money laundering case. Special Judge Arvind Kumar also allowed his plea for grant of pardon on the condition that he will fully disclose all information in the case.

Rajeev Saxena, one of the main accused in the AgustaWestland money laundering case had earlier recorded his statement before an additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM). He had moved an application to turn approver in the case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had supported his approver application.

He was earlier granted bail by the court on medical grounds after the perusal of reports submitted by AIIMS. Saxena, director at two Dubai-based firms UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings is one of the accused named in the charge sheet filed by ED in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland scam.

Sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said Saxena's statement mentions the names of Ritul Puri, nephew of Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, and alleged middleman Sushen Mohan Gupta. Ritul had earlier denied all of Saxena's claims.

He had also mentioned Gautam Khaitan's name in the statement. The latter, another accused in the case, is currently lodged in Tihar jail. 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.