Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

India to seek UK, UAE and South Korea’s assistance in case against Sanjay Bhandari

The CBI has alleged that Bhandari, as the director of UAE-based Santech International, entered into a “criminal conspiracy� with Korea's SECL

India to seek UK, UAE and South Korea’s assistance in case against Sanjay Bhandari

AN INDIAN investigating agency will send formal requests to the UK, the UAE and South Korea in relation to an alleged bribery case against lobbyist Sanjay Bhandari, accused of influencing a contract for a plant in Gujarat, officials said on Tuesday (4).

The contract was for a dual feed cracker unit (DFCU) at an ONGC Petro Additions Ltd (OPAL) plant in Dahej, Gujarat.


The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed three applications seeking the issuance of letters rogatory – a judicial request by a court for assistance of a foreign court – to the UAE, the UK and South Korea for information related to the case and accused individuals and companies, the officials said.

According to the CBI, the tender for the DFCU was floated on April 20, 2007, when two consortiums took part – the first by Germany’s Linde and Korea’s Samsung Engineering Co Ltd (SECL) and the second by USA’s Shaw Stone and Webster and India’s L&T. Both consortiums submitted their bids in 2008 and project technology consultant, Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd, UK, calculated the Net Present Value (NPV) of the Linde consortium to be ₹4,1.6 billion (£399 million), while it was ₹39.18bn (£375.6m) for Shaw Stone & Webster consortium.

The contract went to Linde and SECL consortium in spite of a review sought by Shaw Stone & Webster which was rejected. The CBI has alleged that Bhandari, as the director of UAEbased Santech International, entered into a “criminal conspiracy” with (SECL) by charging a consultancy fee of $4.9m (£3.9m) from it, in violation of the integrity clause in the contract agreement between the Korean major and OPAL.

An enquiry found several email exchanges between Bhandari and Hong Nam Koong, then senior manager at SECL, including about a consulting service agreement between Santech and SECL, according to the CBI charge. The alleged consultancy fee was received in overseas accounts of Santech International on June 13, 2009, nearly four months after the contract between OPAL and Linde consortium was executed, the agency said.

It has alleged the consultancy charges were understood to be bribes for public officials to swing the contract in favour of SECL, they said. The inquiry also found an unsigned agreement between SECL and the UK’s Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd, on July 19, 2007, appointing the former as a consultant, the FIR alleged.

They said this agreement, months after the tendering process had begun, was important as Foster Wheeler had prepared bid documents and calculated the NPV which became the basis for selecting Linde. The agency found Bhandari had allegedly transferred ₹20m (£191,748) to Farhan Mohammed Aslam, another director in Santech, in his firm Jaslam Trading in 2015.

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less