SFO Clears Sudhir, Bhanu Choudhrie In Rolls-Royce Investigations

DELHI, India - Sept. 16, 2014 - PRLog -- Indian-born entrepreneur Sudhir Choudhrie and son Bhanu Choudhrie have had their bail lifted in the SFO investigations into Rolls-Royce business dealings in China and Indonesia, reports The Sunday Times. It further adds that it’s highly unlikely that the duo shall be investigated going forward.

The Sunday Times also cites a spokesman for the Choudhries reiterating their stance from February that "they deny any wrongdoing and have co-operated fully with the authorities.”

In December 2013, Rolls-Royce came out stating that it was being probed by the Serious Fraud Office into allegations that its business dealings in China and Indonesia were marked with allegations of bribery.

The SFO enquiry probed the Choudhries in February and they were later pulled in and released on unconditional bail terms. The recent media developments strongly allude to the Choudhries coming out clean from the investigations. It also seems extremely unlikely for them to be included in further investigations.

In a separate probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation, India, Roll-Royce had conceded hiring of Singapore-based Aashmore, and owner Ashok Patni, to play middleman in business dealings with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Rolls-Royce was commissioned for providing aircraft engines to HAL, but following the revelation, the Ministry of Defence, India, called off and put on hold all existing and pipeline deals with the world’s second largest manufacturer of aircraft engines. Later, Rolls-Royce proposed Rs.18 crore it had paid Aashmore to broker deals and provide logistic and strategic support, to be paid to Indian authorities, but the offer met with a refusal from Indian government.