Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
ADVT 
International

South Africa Cancels Arrest Warrant For India-Born Businessman Ajay Gupta

Darpan News Desk IANS, 17 Feb, 2019 12:28 AM

    South African authorities have said that controversial businessman Ajay Gupta, a member of the India-born Gupta family who own a business empire in the country and are accused of collaborating with former President Jacob Zuma in looting the state coffers, is no longer wanted by the police in a corruption case.


    An arrest warrant for Gupta, issued in February 2018 on corruption charges, was cancelled on Thursday, the BBC reported on Friday.


    The authorities had sought to question Ajay Gupta on allegations that he attempted to bribe former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and offered him the post of Finance Minister if Jonas helped the Gupta family with its business ventures in South Africa.


    The Guptas deny any wrongdoing.


    Jonas told the commission investigating state corruption that Ajay Gupta had offered him $42 million to take up the post of Finance Minister. He claimed this happened during a meeting set up by Zuma's son Duduzane.


    Corruption charges against Duduzane Zuma were provisionally withdrawn last month, while evidence continued to be heard by the corruption commission.


    As a consequence, the police said, they had to withdraw the arrest warrant against Ajay Gupta.


    Former President Zuma was earlier accused of letting the Guptas interfere in ministerial appointments. The family reportedly wields enormous political influence in South Africa, with critics alleging that it tried to "capture the state" to advance its business interests.


    As much as they are alleged to have influenced the hiring of ministers, they are also accused of trying to fire ministers who may have got in the way of their business interests.


    One of the highest profile among the suspected Gupta-linked firings was former Finance Minster Pravin Gordhan, who later accused the family of being involved in "suspicious" transactions worth about $490 million, which they deny.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Indian-American Surgeon Appointed CEO Of Amazon-JP Morgan Venture

    Indian-American Surgeon Appointed CEO Of Amazon-JP Morgan Venture
    Atul Gawande practices general and endocrine surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital and is Professor at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School.

    Indian-American Surgeon Appointed CEO Of Amazon-JP Morgan Venture

    Statue Honouring UK's Sikh Warriors To Be Installed In West Midlands

    A 10-foot-high bronze statue of a Sikh soldier honouring the community’s “unmeasurable” contribution during World War-I will be installed in the UK’s West Midlands to commemorate 100 years since the end of the conflict.

    Statue Honouring UK's Sikh Warriors To Be Installed In West Midlands

    Indian-Origin Academic Priyamvada Gopal Goes On Strike Over 'Racist' Staff At King's College London

    Indian-Origin Academic Priyamvada Gopal Goes On Strike Over 'Racist' Staff At King's College London
    A leading Indian-origin academic has gone strike against tutoring students from King’s College London after its staff members allegedly refused to address her as “Doctor”.

    Indian-Origin Academic Priyamvada Gopal Goes On Strike Over 'Racist' Staff At King's College London

    Over 7,000 People From India Filed Applications For Asylum In Us In 2017: UN Report

    Over 7,000 People From India Filed Applications For Asylum In Us In 2017: UN Report
    Over 7,000 people from India filed applications for asylum in the US last year, according to a report by the UN refugee agency, which said America was the largest recipient of new asylum requests in 2017.

    Over 7,000 People From India Filed Applications For Asylum In Us In 2017: UN Report

    Indian Woman Gives Birth In Bangladesh Railway Station

    Indian Woman Gives Birth In Bangladesh Railway Station
    An Indian woman gave birth to a baby inside the toilet of a railway station here, a media report said.

    Indian Woman Gives Birth In Bangladesh Railway Station

    Trump Administration Pulls US Out of UN Human Rights Council

    Trump Administration Pulls US Out of UN Human Rights Council
    The US plans to announce its withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday, media reports said.

    Trump Administration Pulls US Out of UN Human Rights Council