Surendra Hiranandani still absconding: CBI

Hiranandani Group director, Surendra Hiranandani, against whom a look-out notice was issued in connection with an alleged provident fund scam, is still absconding, CBI told a special court today.

Opposing the anticipatory bail plea of co-accused Niranjan Hiranandani, CBI counsel Bharat Badami said "while Niranjan has appeared before the court, Surendra is still absconding. These business people are hand in gloves with corrupt public servants."

Niranjan had approached the sessions court on August 4 after CBI issued a look-out notice against him and Surendra to all the airports in the country.

The duo has been named as accused in an FIR lodged by CBI on March 29, 2008 for an alleged fraud of provident fund deposits.

Badami said Niranjan and Surendra are direct beneficiaries of the scam and their custodial interrogation is required to gather more information.

According to the Anti Corruption wing of CBI, Hiranandani group had not deposited provident fund of their employees in 2003-06.

The alleged non-payment, as per a report filed by the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in its departmental enquiry, is to the tune of Rs 9.36 crore.