AgustaWestland Case: Day after being presumed 'dead', key witness to appear in court today

KK Khosla, a key witness in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, who was presumed dead by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) barely 24 hours ago, will appear before the court on Wednesday. The Enforcement Directorate, which is investigating the case, had told the court on Monday that Khosla was possibly dead. However, he suddenly surfaced today and was ready to appear before the court whenever required.

"Whenever we went to his house, he was not available. Maybe he is dead," the agency officials had told the special court on Tuesday. Following Khosla's sudden appearance, the agency changed its stance and said that he will be avaialable in the court whenever he will be asked to.

According to the Enforcement Directorate, Khosla possess certain documents which mentions the bribery amounts and the names of the people who received them. He is a crucial witness in the case and will prove the bribery and corruption link, the probe agency said.

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The court has asked the ED that KK Khosla be present during Wednesday's hearing. Madhya Pradesh Cheif Minister Kamal Nath's nephew Ratul Puri is one of the key accused in the case and the agency claimed that he had recieved money from the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal. The ED also alleged that Puri tried to influence witnesses and tamper with evidence.

Puri, the Chairman of Hindustan Powerprojects Pvt Ltd, has denied the accusations, terming them a politilca witch hunt. He was also granted anticipatory bail in the case. The former heads of AgustaWestland and its parent firm Finmeccanica had been convicted by an Italian court. They were found guilty of several irregularities in the deal of 12 VVIP helifcopters deal to India.