Mallya, Nirav and 36 businessmen fled India: ED

The Enforcement Directorate on Moday told a special judge that apart from Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, 34 other businessmen who had criminal cases against them too have fled the country.

ED Monday opposed the bail plea of Sushen Mohan Gupta, alleged defence agent arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP choppers scam, saying there was a likelihood of him fleeing the country.

The probe agency's special public prosecutors D P Singh and N K Matta countered Sushen's claim that he had deep roots in the society, saying, "Mallya, Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and Sandesara brothers had deeper routes in the society yet they left the country.

Verma also accused Gupta of influencing the witnesses in the case and told the court that he also tried to destroy the evidence in the case.

During the argument, ED's advocate Samvedna Verma told the court that the probe was at a crucial stage and the agency was trying to find out who was "RG" referred in the diaries of Sushen.

Verma also accused Gupta of influencing the witnesses in the case and told the court that he also tried to destroy the evidence in the case.

The court reserved order on Gupta's bail application for April 20.Gupta has sought the relief on the ground that the agency has already completed the investigation and filed a charge sheet in the case.

ED Monday opposed the bail plea of Sushen Mohan Gupta, alleged defence agent arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP choppers scam, saying there was a likelihood of him fleeing the country.