VVIP chopper scam case: HC denies bail to woman director

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday denied bail to a woman director of two Dubai-based firms, arrested in connection with a money laundering case arising out of the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP chopper scam. Shivani Saxena, director of Dubai-based M/s UHY Saxena and M/s Matrix Holdings, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and is presently in judicial custody.

"The application is dismissed," Justice A K Pathak said while upholding the trial court's July 29 order dismissing her bail plea.

Saxena was nabbed on July 17 by the ED from Chennai under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Recently, the ED chargesheeted her and the companies under various sections of the PMLA.

Saxena and her husband Rajiv Saxena are residents of Palm Jumeirah, one of the most expensive properties in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai. The charge sheet, which will be considered by the trial court on September 19, contains the names of Saxena and her husband, also one of the directors in both firms.

Rajiv Saxena has been evading ED summons and not joining the probe, the ED has alleged. The agency has so far not arrayed him as an accused.