Rajiv Saxena, accused in AgustaWestland case to be extradited from Dubai: Sources

Rajiv Saxena, an accused in AgustaWestland chopper deal scam, was extradited from Dubai, UAE, to India on Wednesday, making it second such catch for the investigating agencies after Christian Michel.  

According to sources, Saxena is likely to land in Delhi on Wednesday night.

In December last year, the UAE government had extradited Christian Michel, a British national and alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal scam.

“Saxena is likely to land here at 9.30 pm,” said sources.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in December last year, in reply against Dubai-based businessman Saxena’s bail plea, had informed the court about the request for his extradition from Dubai as he had failed to join the investigation even after repeated reminders.

On October 6 last year, a court in Delhi had issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Saxena after the ED informed the court that he was not joining the investigation even after repeated summons. Saxena’s name figured in a charge sheet filed against his wife Shivani, currently out on bail after being arrested by the ED. 

Geeta Luthra and Prateek Yadav, lawyers of Rajiv Saxena said when they asked to speak to UAE state security and demanded to understand what happened, they were told he is on flight and can’t be stopped. When they queried this further they were told “Ask the Indian Government".

They further added, "There were no extradition proceedings started in the UAE and he was not allowed access to his family or lawyers or essential daily medicine. He was boarded onto a private jet from a private terminal at Dubai International Airport".

The lawyers also said that Rajiv Saxena was picked up by UAE state security from his residence this morning at 9:30 am (UAE time) and illegally extradited to India around 5:30 pm (UAE time).