PrashantNews
Businessman Ajay Gupta, along with his brother in law Anil Gupta, may be cooling his heels in Sudhowala jail after being given 14 days judicial remand in the Baba Sawhney suicide case. But he is now facing allegations of getting political patronage and z security which was helping him to expand his business in the hill state.
In the wake of these allegations, Congress has demanded a high level inquiry to find people who were giving patronage to the Gupta brothers. Despite action against them in South Africa in various cases, Gupta brothers were provided Z security in Uttarakhand, state Congress vice president Suryakant Dhasmana said. Gupta brothers were active in both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand where their activities were seen suspiciously, Dhasmana said.
The ruling BJP on the other hand described the incident as sad but expressed hope that strong action will be taken in the case. “The Dhami government pursues a policy of zero tolerance against the crimes,” said Manvir Chauhan, a state BJP spokesman.
Ajay Gupta was rubbing shoulders with top politicians and other influential people in the hill state, reliable sources said.
Sawhney, a top Uttarakhand builder, on Friday allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the eighth floor of Pacific Golf in Dehradun.
On the basis of suicide note recovered from 52 year old Sawhney and other evidences, police swung into action and arrested Ajay Gupta and Anil Gupta of Gupta Brothers fame. The two brothers, who used to live in Dalanwala locality, were arrested under section 306 of the IPC.
In the suicide note, Sawhney has blamed Guptas for allegedly harassing him over some projects. Police sources said the Gupta brothers were demanding Rs 19 crore from Sawhney.
Police sources said Sawhney was under mental depression for sometime after he received alleged threats from Gupta brothers over some money deals.
In a police complaint filed by Sawhney’s son Ranvir Singh in Rajpur police station, it was alleged that Gupta brothers were trying to harass Sawhney over some money deals and indulging in blackmails. “On the basis of evidences, we took into custody the two Gupta brothers for further investigations,” said the SSP.
Sawhney was famous for his Sawhney builders company in Dehradun and was constructing a series of projects in the city.
In the past also, Sawhney had filed a police complaint alleging that he was being harassed by Gupta brothers who were putting pressure on him in connection with two projects. Police sources said Gupta brothers wanted their money back in two projects due to which Sawhney became mentally upset. For exerting pressure on Sawhney, Gupta brothers had also filed a police complaint in Saharanpur due to which he had become more mentally agitated leading to his suicide, the sources said.
The Gupta brothers’ business empire in South Africa spanned a variety of industries, including mining, media, and technology. The family name has become synonymous with corruption and undue influence in that country having close relations with former President Jacob Zuma. The family’s most notable members are Ajay, Atul and Rajesh. Atul and Rajesh are wanted in India in some money laundering cases also.
After they fled from South Africa, brothers were given shelter in UAE.
It’s a high profile murder case. Thorough investigation is required to book culprits. It’s case of blackmail and harassment.