Not only Mallya and Nirav, 36 businessmen fled India in recent past, ED informs court

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday opposed in a Delhi court the bail plea of an alleged defence agent Sushen Mohan Gupta, arrested in the AgustaWestland chopper deal money laundering case, saying there is every likelihood of his fleeing India like 36 businessmen in the recent past, including Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi.

The ED’s response came before Special Judge Arvind Kumar after Sushen’s counsel contended that his client has joined investigation as and when summoned and there is no scope of apprehension regarding his availability or fleeing the country.

Sushen’s counsel also argued that he has deep roots in society. Responding to this, ED’s counsel D P Singh said, “Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi and Sandesara brothers (Sterling Biotech Ltd promoters) had also deep roots in the society, yet they fled the country…There are such 36 businessmen who fled from India in past years.”