CBI seizes AgustaWestland helicopter from Pune-based businessman in DHFL bank fraud case

The probe agency found the helicopter during raids on Bhonsale’s premises, and seized it on Saturday. 

Avinash Bhonsale, who has been recently arrested by CBI in the DHFL case, had purchased the copter, media reports said.

It was parked in a large swanky hall built like a hangar with posters of pop culture decorating the tall walls, NDTV reported.

Former DHFL top bosses Kapil Wadhawan, Deepak Wadhawan, and other co-accused were charged by the CBI on June 20 in the bank fraud case.

They defrauded 17 banks led by the Union Bank of India by siphoning off Rs 34,615 crore in bank loans to fake account books of DHFL.

They also stole public funds parked in DHFL using shell companies and a parallel accounting system, known as "Bandra Books" and disbursing fake retail loans to fake entities.

The Pune-based builder is also accused of spending Rs 300 crore given by DHFL to buy a property in London, the CBI has said in its chargesheet.

Another Rs 43 crore was transferred to ABIL Infrastructure and Rs 140 crore to Metropolis Hotels.

Kapil Wadhawan had sanctioned this fund transfer soon after Yes Bank made an investment in DHFL in April-May 2018, the CBI said.