ED visits Ahmed Patel at home for questioning in Sandesara brothers PMLA case

ED claims the scam is bigger than Punjab National Bank scam.

New Delhi – A team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) recorded the statement of Congress leader Ahmed Patel at his Delhi residence in connection with Rs. 14,500 crore Sterling-Biotech case, officials said.

Ahmed Patel had earlier told the probe agency that due to novel coronavirus spread in the country, it would not be advisable for him to appear for questioning given his health condition and age. However, he is now being questioned in connection with the Sandesara brothers’ money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The alleged Rs. 14,500 crore bank loan fraud and money laundering case is said to have been perpetrated by the Gujarat-based pharma firm Sterling Biotech and its main promoters — Nitin Sandesara, Chetan Sandesara and Deepti Sandesara — all of whom are absconding.

A key witness in the Sandesara case had disclosed the connection between Chetan Sandesara, Ahmed Patel, his son Faisal Patel and son-in-law Irfan Siddiqui.

The ED is also probing allegations that Siddiqui “occupied” a residential property in Delhi’s Vasant Vihar that was purchased by the Sandesaras. His links with Delhi-based businessman Gagan Dhawan are also under the scanner of the central agency.

Ahmed Patel’s son Faisal Patel was also questioned by the ED in the same case. Ahmed Patel is a Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat. He holds the post of treasurer in the grand old party. He was earlier the political secretary to UPA chairperson and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Nitin and Chetan Sandesara.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Income Tax department are also investigating under criminal sections dealing with corruption and tax evasion respectively. The ED registered a criminal case in connection with the alleged bank loan fraud on the basis of a CBI FIR and chargesheet.