Bhanu and Sudhir Choudhrie Dropped from the Rolls-Royce Probe

DELHI, India - Sept. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Indian-origin businessmen Sudhir Choudhrie and son, Bhanu, who were a part of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) probe into Rolls-Royce dealings in China and Indonesia have had their bail impositions lifted, reported The Sunday Times.

The Choudhries were included by the (SFO) last December as a part of its investigations into securing government contracts in Indonesia and China. The Sunday Times further reports that the bail was lifted in July, hence making it highly likely that they may have no further part to play in the inquiry.

“They deny any wrong doing and have cooperated fully with the authorities”, said a spokesman for the Choudhries, reiterating their stand from when the investigations set off in February.

Rolls Royce, one of the world’s leading aircraft engine-makers, found itself in the middle of an SFO investigation probing third-party kickbacks in Indonesia and China when it was learnt that middlemen deployed by Rolls-Royce sought to win favours from the son of Indonesia's former President, Suharto.

The UK-based company has earlier been accused of double-dealing in trying to cut a deal with the National airline, Garuda, to provide 700 Rolls Royce Trent engines.

The SFO investigations also come on the back of rising allegations of systemic wheeling and dealing in RR’s business deal-making.

Investigations took a new turn when Dick Taylor, a former employee of the engineering firm, started coming out with online claims in 2006, but it was not until December last year that these allegations broke out. He had worked for 30 years at Rolls Royce before he came out and voiced strong disregard against Rolls’ business practices on news websites and online media, including the guardian.com.

Concerned at the ongoing developments, Rolls Royce has cut back on middlemen deployment. The announcement to the effect came in March when RR geared up to deal with bribery and corruption around its business.