ED questions businessman Ratul Puri in AgustaWestland case

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday questioned Ratul Puri, nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, in connection with the Agusta Westland VVIP choppers money laundering case. 

It is expected that Mr Puri’s statement would be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The probe agency had informed a Delhi court yesterday that Mr Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Power Projects Pvt Ltd, has been summoned in this high-profile case for interrogation. 

The Enforcement Directorate had also informed the court that Mr Puri was summoned for confronting him with Sushen Mohan Gupta, an arrested middleman in the case, whose custodial interrogation was extended by three more days by the court yesterday. 

Seeking the extension of Mr Gupta’s custody, the ED had told the court that he was required to be confronted with various people including Mr Puri in the case.

Mr Puri has denied having any connection or involvement of any kind in defence or the case. In a statement, his company had said he would fully cooperate with the ED investigation and provide any clarification or information as may be required.

The Agusta Westland choppers deal was scrapped by India over allegations of corruption and kickbacks being paid in the deal. 

The ED and the CBI are currently probing the case and have already filed multiple charge sheets.

The Hindu

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