Chopper scam: Court dismisses ED's plea to cancel bail granted to 'approver' Rajiv Saxena

A Delhi court Thursday dismissed a plea of the Enforcement Directorate seeking cancellation of bail granted to Rajiv Saxena, an accused-turned-approver in a money laundering case related to the AgustaWestland chopper scam.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar, while dismissing the ED's application, observed that the accused-turned-approver was yet to depose before the court as a witness and therefore, there was no question of cancelling his bail.

The court had on March 5 refused to revoke Saxena's 'approver' status saying he has to be given the opportunity to defend himself against ED's allegations that he breached the conditions set while granting him the pardon.

The agency had told the court that Saxena withheld information and did not make the competition for disclosure during the investigation.

The agency also alleged that Saxena misled the probe agency during an investigation.

The ED had further stated that Saxena failed to join the investigation citing frivolous reasons after being called by it around 25 times.

The court had earlier allowed Saxena to turn approver and also his plea for grant of pardon on the condition that he would fully disclose all information in the case.

Saxena, director at two Dubai-based firms -- UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings -- was one of the accused named in the charge sheet filed by the ED in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland scam.

The Dubai-based businessman was extradited to India on January 31 in connection with the Rs 3,600-crore scam case relating to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland.