Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 15-02-2018
The Hawks have confirmed that Ajay Gupta has failed to hand himself over after originally agreeing to do so and is now a fugitive from justice.
It’s understood Gupta was due to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court today in relation to an ongoing investigation over the R220-million Estina Dairy farm scandal in Vrede in the Free State but he failed to do so.
The Estina project allegedly saw hundreds of millions of rand meant for poor black farmers, being redirected to Gupta family and business bank accounts.
Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed Ajay Gupta was on the run and they are looking for him.
“We made contact with his lawyers yesterday and as such we haven’t received any feedback from them. There is a warrant of arrest that has been issued against his name. So we regard him as a fugitive.”
Mulaudzi has urged Gupta and his lawyers to hand themselves over to police.
Meanwhile seven of the eight accused in the Estina dairy farm scandal who appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates court on Thursday have been granted bail.
Oakbay chief executive Ronica Ragavan, Varun Gupta, former Oakbay chief executive Nazeem Howa and Gupta business associate Ashu Chawla are facing charges of fraud and money laundering.
Bail of R200‚000 each was granted to Howa‚ Gupta‚ Chawla and Ragavan while bail of R10‚000 each was granted to Thebetha‚ Dlamini and Masiteng.
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