AgustaWestland: Enforcement Directorate supports Rajiv Saxena’s plea to be made an approver

The Enforcement Directorate today told the Special CBI Court that it ‘vehemently supports’ Dubai-based accountant Rajiv Saxena’s plea to be made an approver in AgustaWestland case..The statement was made before CBI Judge Arvind Kumar..Appearing for the Agency, Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh said that Saxena had shown an inclination to ‘unravel the truth’ and that he would be an important witness in the case..Adding that the Agency is in favour of pardoning Saxena, Singh remarked that Saxena deserves the pardon sought by him..Appearing for Saxena, Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra said,.“I need not say anything if prosecution feels he would be an important witness.”.On February 27, Saxena has moved an application in terms of Section 306 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 seeking grant of pardon on account on being made an approver in the case..Saxena is accused of providing corporate structure across the globe for laundering ill-gotten money/proceeds of crime to influence the contract for the supply of 12 VVIP helicopters in favour of AgustaWestland..Saxena was arrested by the ED on January 31 after he was extradited from Dubai. After spending 12 days in ED custody, Saxena was remanded to judicial custody by the Court. Last week, Saxena was granted interim bail by the Court on medical grounds..On January 25, Saxena who is suffering from a number of serious ailments including blood cancer was granted regular bail by the CBI Court..The matter would be next heard on March 25..Bar & Bench is available on WhatsApp. For real-time updates on stories, Click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.