Chopper scam: Rahul Gandhi’s aide under scanner, ED summons MGF boss Shravan Gupta

By: Rajneesh M.

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Shravan Gupta, co-founder of Emaar MGF – a joint venture of Emaar Properties and MGF Developments Ltd. He has been asked to appear for questioning in three days.

The move has come in the wake of Kanishka Singh, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s aide’s alleged links in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam.

BJP MP Kirit Somaiya had written to the CBI and ED urging them to check Kanishka Singh’s alleged links with the company.

According to a source in the ED, the summon to Gupta has been issued to question him regarding the roles of two middlemen of AgustaWestland, Guido Haschke and Gautam Khaitan, who were on the board of directors of Emaar MGF in 2009. He will be questioned about the circumstances under which they were on the board.

“We want to know from Shravan Gupta about the role Haschke and Khaitan played in the firm during the short stint,” TOI  correspondent quoted an officer.

Realty firm Emaar MGF has responded to the controversy and denied having any “business links” with Kanishka Singh and added that Guido Hashke was an independent director for an “extremely brief period”.

Emaar MGF termed the allegations levelled on them as “baseless and incorrect”.

“We would further like to state that Mr Kanishka Singh has never had any direct or indirect business interest, including as a shareholder and/or promoter and/or Director, in Emaar MGF,” the company said.