Woman director of Dubai firm held in chopper scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested a woman director of a Dubai-based firm in connection with its probe in a money laundering case in the AgustaWestland chopper scam, officials said on Monday.

The arrested has been identified as Shivani Saxena, a resident of Palm Jumeira in Dubai. Shivani is an active director of M/s UHY Saxena, Dubai, and M/s Matrix Holdings.

Investigators claimed that the proceeds of the crime have been routed through M/s UHY Saxena and M/s Matrix Holdings and further layered and integrated in buying immovable properties and shares.

According to the ED, M/s AgustaWestland International Ltd, the UK, paid euro 58 million as kickbacks through M/s Gordian Services Sarl, Tunisia, and M/s IDS Sarl, Tunisia, for the deal involving 12 VVIP choppers.

“These companies further siphoned off the said money/proceeds of crime in the name of consultancy contracts to M/s Interstellar Technologies Ltd, Mauritius, and others, which were further transferred to M/s UHY Saxena, Dubai, M/s Matrix Holdings Ltd, Dubai, and others,” an ED statement read.

Investigation revealed that Shivani’s husband  Rajiv Saxena is a beneficial owner of M/s Interstellar Technologies Ltd, Mauritius. They are also partners in M/s UHY Saxena and M/s Matrix Holdings Ltd.

“Both these companies received the proceeds of the crime in their respective Dubai bank accounts from M/s Interstellar Technologies Ltd. Mauritius...,” the statement said.