The Supreme Court today declined to entertain a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking cancellation of bail granted to accused-turned-approver in AgustaWestland chopper scam case.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said that the trial court while granting bail to Rajeev Saxena, had noted his medical condition and that he was cooperating in the investigation. The bench added that they are not inclined to interfere and that they can move to the trial court.
Appearing for the Central Bureau of Investigation, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju submitted that Rajeev Saxena was not cooperating in the investigation and that he was not answering the questions posed to him. He added that the accused-turned-approver does not answer summons and that there must be a direction that he should cooperate.
Earlier on February 16, 2021, a Delhi court granted bail to Rajeev Saxena on medical grounds. The court had stated that it was clear from the medical record submitted by AIIMS that Rajeev Saxena is suffering from a number of serious ailments, including blood cancer and needs constant medical checkups. A Delhi Court earlier had dismissed a plea by the Enforcement Directorate seeking cancellation of bail granted to Rajeev Saxena.
Rajeev Saxena, a Dubai-based businessman was extradited to India on January 31, 2019 in connection with the chopper scam relating to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland. Following the extradition, the Enforcement Directorate arrested him in a money laundering case related to the chopper scam.
Reportedly, Rajeev Saxena is the director at two Dubai based firms namely UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings. He was one of the accused named in the chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate in the Rs 3600 crore AgustaWestland chopper scam.