The UAE handed over influential corporate lobbyist Deepak Talwar and Rajiv Saxena, a close aide of AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel, to India. This news coming on the heels of Michel’s handing over by Dubai, marks headway in the effort to get Dubai and other former “sanctuaries” to send back persons on India’s wanted list.
This is yet another breakthrough in the government’s efforts to bring back high profile “fugitives” involved in alleged corruption. One of Delhi’s most prominent lobbyists, Talwar has been in “business” since the early 1990s. He was the go-to man for Foreign Investment Promotion Board approvals when the Narasimha Rao government began the process of liberalization. Talwar survived regime changes and emerged a powerful figure in the aviation sector when UPA was in office. He also dabbled in infrastructure. With investigations closing in on him, he is believed to have slipped out of India last year, raising doubts about the probes involving him and other influential persons.
Saxena has been seen as an associate of Michel, allegedly a key figure in the VVIP chopper scam. He has come back at a time when Michel has been questioned by CBI and ED on the AgustaWestland deal. Former IAF chief S P Tyagi was arrested for alleged bribe taking and diaries with alleged political entries is being probed. The income tax department had already collected details of the favours he allegedly doled out or managed for his allies among the political class, some of them seen as A-listers in Delhi’s elite circles.
Talwar and Saxena were being flown back from Dubai on a special plane belonging to ARC, the aviation wing of external intelligence agency RAW, and were expected to reach on Wednesday night. Talwar’s return is significant as he was critical in controversial deals negotiated under UPA in the aviation sector, such as approvals for foreign airlines and the development of the Aerocity project near the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The award of duty-free shops was also seen as part of the deals struck.
Various Agencies will tally the explanations and versions of Michel with what Saxena might say. This comes after speculation about the likely return of high-value absconders. There has been a buzz that a special Air India flight was being readied to go to a foreign destination. The possible destinations included Antigua where Mehul Choksi is holed up.
