New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday stepped up its operation against M/s Sharan Svadha LLP in the case of M/s Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Switzerland, absconding arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and attached their one property, amounting close to Rs 5 crores.
The immovable property in the national capital is valued at Rs 4.5 crore and the ED crackdown comes under the Prevention of money laundering act.
Notably, Sanjay Bhandari is considered close to Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law Robert Vadra and was privy to classified documents related to India’s defence purchases. Bhandari’s company, Offset India Solutions had reportedly played direct role in executing offset contracts for several foreign military contractors.
Delhi Police had lodged FIR against Bhandari after classified documents were recovered from his home & office during 2016 raids.
The ED had initiated investigation against M/s Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Switzerland, Sanjay Bhandari, M/s Offset India Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (OISPL) & others based on this CBI FIR.
During the course of investigation, it was found that M/s Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Switzerland entered into criminal conspiracy with Sanjay Bhandari, his partner Bimal Sareen and others for obtaining the contract of supply of 75 Basic Trainer Aircrafts to Indian Air Force, Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India.
In pursuance of this conspiracy, commission / kickbacks (proceeds of crime) of Rs. 343 Crore from M/s Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Switzerland were received in the bank accounts of the companies controlled / beneficially owned by Sanjay Bhandari in India & UAE for influencing the process of contract in its favour.
During the investigation under PMLA, it is found that part of this commission / kickbacks were transferred to M/s Sharan Svadha LLP, an entity beneficially owned by Bimal Sareen and his wife, for purchasing an immovable property in New Delhi which has been attached.
