ED questions Ahmed Patel at his residence in Sterling Biotech case

| New Delhi |

A team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) is recording 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.
During the investigations, a key witness in the Sandesara case had disclosed about the connection between Chetan Sandesara, Ahmed Patel, his son Faisal Patel and son-in-law Irfan Siddiqui.
Sunil Yadav, an employee of the Sandesara group, alleged that Irfan Siddiqui used to visit Chetan Sandesara (Director Sandesara Group) at Pushpanjali Farms in Delhi, while Chetan Sandesara would also visit Irfan's Vasant Vihar residence. Chetan allegedly used to hand over huge amounts of cash to Irfan Siddiqui.
Sunil alleged that Ahmed Patel's residence was also used for meetings.
"Chetan Sandesara used to refer to Ahmed Patel's residence [23, Mother Teresa Crescent Road] as headquarters. Chetan and Gagan Dhawan used to visit Ahmed Patel's residence. They have gone to this address at least 25-30 times. The meetings were fixed by Chetan and Gagan Dhawan through Mahajan [PA of Ahmed Patel] over the phone," Sunil alleged in his statement.
Irfan Siddiqui and Faisal Patel were allegedly given code names by Chetan Sandesara.
"Chetan and Gagan referred to Irfan Siddiqui as Irfan Bhai. Irfan's code name was "i2" and Faisal Patel was given code name "i1," Sunil said.
According to Sunil, "Faisal Patel used to take his friends to Puspanjali Farms to party and all the expenses were borne by Chetan. In 2011, during one such party, Chetan spent around Rs 10 lakh."
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.
Gagan Dhawan was earlier arrested by the ED in connection with this case.
The ED has already questioned Irfan Siddiqui, son-in-law of Ahmed Patel, in connection with multi-thousand-crore bank fraud and money-laundering probe against Gujarat-based pharmaceutical firm Sterling Biotech.
Irfan Siddiqui's was questioned about his purported links with the Sandesara brothers, the owners and promoters of the Vadodara-based company. Siddiqui, an advocate by profession, is married to Mumtaz Patel, the daughter of Ahmed Patel.
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.
The Sandesaras are also facing probes for their alleged nexus with some high-profile politicians by the ED. They are stated to be based in Nigeria at present, from where India is trying to extradite them.
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.