Close X
Thursday, December 12, 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    Corruption charges against Duduzane Zuma were provisionally withdrawn last month, while evidence continued to be heard by the corruption commission.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 Lawmaker Ro Khanna Joins Key Congressional Committees

    Indian-American Lawmaker Ro Khanna Joins Key Congressional Committees
    Congressman Ro Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley, has also joined the House Armed Services subcommittees on Intelligence and Emerging Threats, and Strategic Forces, as well as the Oversight subcommittees of Government Operations and Economic Policy.  

    Indian-American Lawmaker Ro Khanna Joins Key Congressional Committees

    Got India Motorcycle Tariffs Down To 50 Per Cent In '2 Minutes': Trump

    Got India Motorcycle Tariffs Down To 50 Per Cent In '2 Minutes': Trump
    India had last February slashed the customs duty on imported motorcycles like Harley-Davidson to 50 per cent after Trump called it "unfair" and threatened to increase the tariff on import of Indian bikes to the US.

    Got India Motorcycle Tariffs Down To 50 Per Cent In '2 Minutes': Trump

    CNN Anchor Chris Cuomo Apologises For Kamala Harris Tweet

    A CNN anchor has apologised for a tweet in which he appeared to suggest that Indian-American Senator Kamala Harris, who announced her 2020 presidential bid earlier this week, needed to prove that she was born in the US.

    CNN Anchor Chris Cuomo Apologises For Kamala Harris Tweet

    Kerala To Launch NRI Pension Scheme

    Kerala To Launch NRI Pension Scheme
    The Kerala government will soon launch a 'Pravasi Dividend Pension Scheme' to provide regular pension to Non Resident Keralites on a one-time payment of Rs 5 lakh, Governor P. Sathasivam said on Friday.

    Kerala To Launch NRI Pension Scheme

    Trump Backs Down, Agrees To Temporarily End Government Shutdown

    On the 35th day of the partial shutdown with 800,000 government employees missing their second fortnightly paycheck, Trump folded under intensifying pressure from a strong Democratic Party opposition in Congress.

    Trump Backs Down, Agrees To Temporarily End Government Shutdown

    Indian Worker In UAE Arrested For Molesting School Girl

    Indian Worker In UAE Arrested For Molesting School Girl
    An Indian construction worker in the UAE has been arrested and facing trial for allegedly groping a 14-year-old school girl here last year

    Indian Worker In UAE Arrested For Molesting School Girl