CBI wants Enforcement Directorate ‘approver’ Rajiv Saxena behind bars

New Delhi: Citing “incriminating evidence” and concealment of material facts, the Central Bureau of Investigation will oppose the bail application of Rajiv Saxena in the ` 3,600 crore alleged VVIP helicopter purchase scam.

The agency will shortly file a detailed reply in a special CBI court opposing the interim bail granted to Saxena, who is also an “approver” in a related case where the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating charges of money laundering in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal, said people with direct knowledge of the matter.

Saxena, who is an accused in the CBI case, in his bail plea last month claimed that since he had been accorded the approver status in ED’s case, he could not be made an accused by the CBI.


In his bail plea, accessed by ET, Saxena has said he has fully cooperated with the agency and was quizzed 12 times last year between February and April.

People in the know told ET that the investigating agency would oppose Saxena’s interim bail and demand that he be sent to Tihar jail. If it succeeds in doing so, the agency may seek the court’s permission to confront Saxena in judicial custody.