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The farm gates in Mahabaleshwar have “Wadhawan House” written on them
Mumbai
On Wednesday afternoon, a security camera at a toll intersection in Maharashtra’s Satara caught five SUVs flying past, their speed not changing on a deserted road due to the coronavirus blockade. Among the 23 people riding in these cars were Dheeraj and Kapil Wadhawan, the billionaire promoters of the Dewan Housing Finance Limited (DHFL) scam, wanted in a fraud investigation by the CBI.
Weeks ago, they had omitted the subpoena to appear for questioning in a money laundering investigation, citing COVID-19. “Health is a priority,” they said after his non-presentation.
That was forgotten when the brothers, their families, cooks, and helpers drove 180 km from Khandala to Mahabaleshwar for a vacation, grouped into two Range Rovers and three Fortuners.
Among the images that have emerged from the brief “lock-up vacation” are the farm gates in Mahabaleshwar, with “Wadhawan House” written on them, and a long driveway.
The farm beyond the high walls may look nothing like the government school in Panchgani, where the entire group is now quarantined.
The Wadhawan are under police surveillance; A CBI court has written to local authorities not to let them go without authorization from the investigating agency.
There is outrage at the special passes granted to the brothers, who are under investigation on multiple counts of fraud.
Her controversial journey was facilitated by Amitabh Gupta, Senior Secretary, Home, Maharashtra government, now sent on a compulsory license.
The group was “known to me as they are friends of my family and are traveling from Khandala to Mahabaleshwar for a family emergency,” said the letter signed by the officer, along with the names of the passengers in each car.
Maharashtra has the highest number of coronavirus cases, 1,364, including 97 deaths.
Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhawan had surveillance notices on their behalf, issued by the CBI. They face two investigations, one related to the diversion of at least Rs 14 billion from DHFL using fake borrowers and alleged bribes taken by Yes Bank promoters in exchange for a loan to DHFL.
The CBI searched its premises on March 9, but they were missing. Sources say that now that they have been tracked, the agency is unlikely to easily let them go.
