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Updated August 12th, 2019 at 20:24 IST

AgustaWestland Case: I-T Dept attaches posh Delhi bungalow, FDI funds of Ratul Puri, father

The Income Tax Department attached a Rs 300-crore bungalow in a posh Delhi locality and FDI worth USD 40 million as part of its probe under anti-Benami law against Ratul Puri, nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, and his father, officials said on Sunday.

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The Income Tax Department attached a Rs 300-crore bungalow in a posh Delhi locality and FDI worth USD 40 million as part of its probe under anti-Benami law against Ratul Puri, nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, and his father, officials said on Sunday.

They said the bungalow is located at 27A, APJ Abdul Kalam Road, in the Lutyens Delhi zone, and is in the name of a firm of the Moser Baer group, owned and promoted by Ratul Puri's father Deepak Puri.

WATCH: Kamal Nath's Nephew Ratul Puri Confronted Over ED's Summons In VVIP Chopper Scam Case, Puri Claims 'no Connection With Defence Or Agusta Westland Deal'

The assets, including an FDI amount of USD 40 million, have been provisionally attached under the anti-Benami law and is related to the case against Ratul Puri and Deepak Puri, they said.

This is the second such I-T action against Ratul Puri, who is being probed on money laundering charges in relation to the AgustaWestland VVIP choppers case.

READ: Clincher Accessed: Kamal Nath's Nephew Ratul Puri Named In ED's AgustaWestland Chopper Scam Chargesheet, Middleman Alleges Kickbacks

I-T attaches Puri's 'Benami' equity

The Income Tax Department attached Rs 254 crore worth of "Benami" equity of Ratul Puri which he had allegedly received from a suspect in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam case via shell companies. They said a provisional order for attachment of the shares or non-cumulative compulsory convertible preference shares (CCPS) has been issued under the Benami Property Transactions Act.

ED probe in Puri's alleged role in AgustaWestland case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing Puri's alleged role in the multi-crore scam and has been seeking the businessman's custody to further investigate the matter. During the course of hearing last week, Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the ED, had told the court that Puri, who is the nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, is very influential and might flee the country.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in purchase of 12 VVIP choppers from Italy-based Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland.

READ: AgustaWestland Case: CBI Special Court Issues Non-bailable Warrant Against Ratul Puri In Money Laundering Case

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Published August 12th, 2019 at 05:39 IST

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