NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Monday arrested Shivani Saxena, director of two Dubai-based firms in connection with a money laundering case relating to now scrapped Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal.
Saxena, director of Dubai-based firms UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings through which the ‘proceeds of crime’ (bribe money) in the case was routed and further layered and integrated in buying immovable properties and shares.
Shivani, resident of Palm Jumeira, Dubai was produced by the agency before a designated PMLA court here that granted four-day custody of the accused to the ED.
ED probe has revealed that AgustaWestland International Ltd, UK paid an amount of Euro 58 million as kickbacks through Gordian Services Sarl, Tunisia and IDS Sarl, Tunisia. “These two 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,” the ED said in a statement.
Investigation also revealed that Shivani’s husband Rajiv Saxena is beneficiary owner of Interstellar Technologies Ltd., Mauritius. Shivani and her husband Rajiv are partners/ Directors in UHY Saxena, Dubai and Matrix Holdings Ltd., Dubai, agency officials said.
“Both these companies received proceeds of crime in their respective Dubai bank accounts from Interstellar Technologies Ltd. Mauritius, the ED further said in the statement, adding, the duo also remitted/ transferred huge amount of money through their companies at Dubai to various other accounts.
The ED had registered case under Prevention of Money Laundering ACT (PMLA) in 2014 and had named 21 persons including former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief S P Tyagi, his relatives and European middlemen among others.
Following registration of the case, the Union Government had scrapped the contract with the European firm for violating the integrity clause and paying bribes to ink the deal.