Atul Gupta 'got the cream' of Vrede dairy project

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it has bank statements that prove that Atul Gupta benefitted from the proceeds of crime in relation to the Vrede dairy farm project.

The information is contained in an answering affidavit submitted by acting Asset Forfeiture Unit head Knorx Molelle in response to Gupta’s application asking the High Court in Bloemfontein to review and set aside the freezing of R10-million on his personal bank account.

In January‚ the NPA placed the Gupta family at the heart of a conspiracy to "swindle" R220-million from the Free State government‚ which was meant for emerging black dairy farmers.

The unit approached the High Court in Bloemfontein for a preservation order to seize the farm and government grants worth R220-million allegedly funnelled to companies linked to the Gupta family.

The unit’s indictment showed that R10-million out of R220-million in government grants that were siphoned off to the Guptas and their associates was paid directly into the personal bank account of Atul Gupta.

Eight people have been arrested and subsequently appeared in court on charges of theft‚ fraud and money laundering in connection with the Vrede dairy farm scandal.

- Business Day