Ratul Puri in 14-day custody in bank fraud case

A Delhi Court on Tuesday remanded Ratul Puri to 14-day judicial custody till September 17 in connection with the MoserBaer bank fraud case. Special CBI Judge Sanjay Garg passed the custody order after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it didn't need his further custodial remand.

The counsel for Puri moved three applications seeking supply of certain medicines, prescribed by the RML Hospital, separate vehicle for transportation and bedding in jail as the accused suffered from back problem.

Allowing the applications, the court said, "The Jail Superintendent is directed to provide necessary medicines in consultation with the jail doctor. As far as remaining prayers are concerned, the Jail Superintendent shall consider the same as per the jail manual."

The ED arrested Puri, nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, in a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on an FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Moser Baer India (MBIL) and others.

An ED source told , "Investigation has revealed that Moser Baer had bought Blue Ray discs from Pacific International FZE, a company of Rajiv Saxena, which purchased the same from Singulus Technologies, Germany."

The total quantum of purchase was approximately $3.3 million and price differential per unit was "double" the amount, he said and added, "Investigation has revealed that Puri was the beneficiary of the said tainted money, generated by diverting bank funds through over-invoicing."

He said Saxena started the business of supplying solar power panels to Moser Baer Group from Midas Metals International, which were sourced from West Asia Trading and Enertec. "The said companies belong to Puri and were used for earning a profit margin and diversion of funds," he said.

The total quantum of business undertaken herein was Rs 1,492.36 crore, he added.

According to the ED source, Puri was the Executive Director of Moser Baer till 2012, but he remained in the "decision making" of Moser Baer and was a "key" figure in the day-to-day functioning.

( With inputs from IANS )