AgustaWestland Chopper Scam: SC Stays HC Order Allowing Approver Rajeev Saxena To Go Abroad For Medical Treatment

The Supreme Court has stayed a Delhi High Court order which had permitted AgustaWestland chopper scam approver Rajeev Saxena to go aboard for medical treatment.

The bench, which stayed the high court order for three weeks, has also asked the director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to examine his health and file a report within three weeks.

Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate had challenged a June 10 Delhi High Court order permitting him to visit the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Europe from June 25 to July 24.

The bench directed his counsel if his sister and sister-in-law were willing to stand surety for him by depositing Rs 5 crore each as guarantee for allowing him to go abroad, before adjourning the case.

The counsel who appeared for Rajeev Saxena told the court that his client's sister may not possess property worth the amount of surety the court has proposed.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who appeared on behalf of the ED stated that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is in the process of registering an FIR against Saxena.

Rajeev Saxena is accused of providing a corporate structure across the globe for allegedly laundering ill-gotten proceeds of crime to influence the contract for the supply of 12 VVIP helicopters in favor of AgustaWestland.

Saxena was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31 after he was extradited from Dubai. After spending 12 days in Enforcement Directorate custody, he was remanded to judicial custody by the court.

In March this year, he was granted interim bail by the Court on medical grounds.

On January 25 this year, Saxena, who is suffering from a number of serious ailments including blood cancer, was granted regular bail by a CBI court.