Chopper scam: Court to pass order on Sushen Gupta's bail plea on Jun 1

A Delhi court will pronounce on June 1 its order on whether to grant bail to Sushen Mohan Gupta, an alleged defence agent arrested in the money laundering case related to the AgustaWestland VVIP choppers scam.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar reserved order after hearing arguments from the accused as well as the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra, appearing for Gupta, said the accused had always cooperated with the investigation and will be available as and when required by the probe agency as he has deep roots in India.

The application was opposed by ED's special public prosecutors D P Singh ad N K Matta, who said the probe was at a initial stage and if granted the relief, the accused may flee from justice and hamper the investigation.

The agency on May 22 filed a supplementary charge sheet against Gupta, who was arrested by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and is currently in judicial custody.

There was clinching evidence of Gupta's role in the chopper scam as well as in various other defence deals, agency's advocate Samvedna Verma had told the court.

According to the ED, Gupta's role in the case came to light on the basis of disclosures made by Rajeev Saxena, who turned approver in the case after he was deported from the UAE and arrested by the agency.

It is suspected that Gupta has in his possession payment details of the Rs 3,600-crore deal to purchase AgustaWestland VVIP choppers.