NEW DELHI, April 5: A Delhi court on Monday granted bail to businessman Anoop Kumar Gupta in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged Rs 3,600-crore VVIP chopper scam.
Special Judge Arvind Kumar granted the relief to the accused, noting that the investigation will take time to complete and he has been in custody since January 29, 2021.
As per Enforcement Directorate’s allegations, the accused, through his companies, had committed the offence of money laundering in proceeds of crime amounting USD 24,624,298.
“The accused is admitted to bail on his furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs 5 lakh with two sureties of the like amount with further conditions that the accused shall not tamper with evidence and shall not try to contact or influence the witnesses..,” the court said.
It further directed Gupta to join investigation as and when called by the investigating officer, and not to leave India without the permission of the court.
The court noted that the supplementary complaint against Gupta had already been filed.
The court noted that the ED had called the accused to join investigation and accused has joined investigation since December 16, 2018 on different dates.
It further observed that the documents had already been recovered and the statements of witnesses had already been filed before the court with charge sheets and supplementary charge sheets in the case.
The court further observed that the several other co-accused, having similar or greater role than the present one, had already been enlarged on bail.
ED’s contention that the accused may tamper with the evidence was rejected by the court, which noted that the present case was based mainly on documentary evidence and banking transactions and the documents had already been seized by the ED.
The court noted that the accused was 62 years of age and had roots in society, therefore, ED’s contention he may abscond did not appear to have much substance. The court also noted that the accused was suffering from a number of diseases and is under treatment.
The ED claimed that Gupta was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the AgustaWestland VVIP choppers case, after he allegedly did not cooperate in the ongoing probe. (PTI)
