AgustaWestland: CBI Court extends co-accused Rajeev Saxena’s ED custody by four days

A Special CBI Court at Delhi’s Patiala House Court today sent Dubai-based accountant Rajeev Saxena, a co-accused in the AgustaWestland case, to another four days’ custody with the Enforcement Directorate (ED)..A order was passed by Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar while hearing ED’s remand application seeking an extension of Saxena’s custody by ten days..ED’s application was strongly opposed by Saxena’s counsel Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra. Arguing for Saxena’s interim protection, Luthra claimed that there was no need for his custodial interrogation. She also argued that the manner in which Saxena was brought to India was illegal, and that it amounted to abduction..“Who requisitioned his deportation? Who accompanied him? How was the remand made?“, Luthra questioned..Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh informed the Court that the Agency was not involved with the proceedings that led to Saxena’s deportation from Dubai..Stating that there were orders from the Ministry of External Affairs on the issue, Singh further stated that deportation must not be confused with extradition. Saxena, being an Indian citizen, was subjected to deportation proceedings, he said..He further argued that Saxena’s arrest after his arrival from Dubai was done as per procedure, in light of the non-bailable warrant issued against him..After hearing the parties, the Court deemed it appropriate to extend Saxena’s remand by another four days..The Court has also directed the ED Officials to give privacy to Saxena by not being in “the hearing range” while he seeks legal assistance from his counsel as per the Court’s order..Saxena is accused of providing the mechanism to route the proceeds of the crime in the AgustaWestland case. On January 31, Saxena was sent to four days’ ED custody by the CBI Court. Saxena was arrested by the ED after he was extradited from Dubai..Another co-accused in the AgustaWestland scam, Christian Michel was sent to judicial custody till February 26 by a Special CBI Court earlier this month. Michel, who was extradited from Dubai in December last year, is accused of having helped AgustaWestland grab the 2010 deal. For the said deal, Michel allegedly received over 30 million Euros from the helicopter manufacturer for bribing Congress party leaders, bureaucrats, politicians as well as defence officials..The other co-accused in the case, former IAF chief SP Tyagi, is currently on bail.