An investigation towards Harsh Vardhan Jain, arrested for working an unlawful embassy in Ghaziabad, has revealed potential hyperlinks to a ₹300 crore rip-off, a controversial “godman” Chandraswami, and a Saudi arms vendor Adnan Khashoggi.
Jain was arrested by the Particular Activity Power (STF) on July 22, after conducting raids at his rented bungalow in Ghaziabad’s Kavinagar space. Through the raid, a faux embassy (Westarctica) setup was found, ₹44.7 lakh was recovered in money, together with a number of foreign currency echange, faux diplomatic passports, 18 cast diplomatic quantity plates, and seals purportedly from the Ministry of Exterior Affairs, and corporations in 34 nations.
What led cops to probe Jain’s “godman”, Khashoggi connection?
A senior police officer, talking on the situation of anonymity, instructed PTI that police are additionally wanting into Jain’s liaisoning community. “His affiliation and images with worldwide arms vendor Adnan Khashoggi have surfaced throughout the preliminary probe,” the officer stated.
“Authorities suspect there could also be a counter-intelligence angle concerned, and several other incriminating paperwork have been recovered,” the officer added.
In line with a Hindustan Instances report, footage of Jain with the controversial “godman” Chandraswami had been additionally recovered throughout the raid at his Ghaziabad residence.
Chandraswami gained prominence within the 80s and 90s and was thought of to be the religious adviser of three former prime ministers – PV Narasimha Rao, Chandra Shekhar, and VP Singh.
Nevertheless, Chandraswami was arrested in 1996 in reference to monetary irregularities. He was additionally accused of funding the assassination of Rahul Gandhi. A raid at Chandraswami’s ashram additionally revealed his hyperlinks to arms vendor Adnan Khashoggi.
How is Jain linked to Chandraswami, Khashoggi and ₹300 crore rip-off?
Through the probe, the UP ATS discovered that Chandraswami had launched Jain to Khashoggi and Ahsan Ali Sayed in 2000 in London. Sayed allegedly labored with the faux diplomat to open 25 shell companies which had been used for brokering offers, the HT reported quoted UP Police extra director common (ADG), Regulation and Order, Amitabh Yash, as saying.
Sayed additionally operated an organization known as Western Advisory Group, primarily based out of Switzerland, which labored with different corporations to assist them procure loans in change for brokerage.
In line with an NDTV report, the corporate allegedly collected brokerage value almost ₹300 crore and Syed fled from the nation. He was arrested in London in 2022.
Cops are actually wanting into the diploma of Jain’s involvement within the ₹300 crore rip-off on Swiss territory. Given his hyperlinks to Khashoggi, UP STF Extra Superintendent of Police Kumar Mishra stated Jain’s involvement in arms dealing can also be below investigation.
‘Westarctica’ points ‘official assertion’
The police have additionally taken notice of a purported “official assertion” issued by “Westarctica” on Friday wherein the micronation (a self-declared entity however unregonised formally) distanced itself from Harsh Vardhan Jain, new company PTI reported.
“Jain was an authorised consultant participating in unauthorised actions,” the assertion from “Westarctica” stated, clarifying that whereas Jain held the honourary title of “Honorary Consul to India” after making a donation in 2016, he was “by no means granted ambassadorial standing”.
Based in 2001 by former US Navy intelligence analyst Travis McHenry, “Westarctica” capabilities primarily as an environmental advocacy nonprofit registered within the US, with tax-exempt standing since 2018, the report added.
“Though they’ve issued an announcement however its standing as a nation is unrecognised subsequently the assertion holds zero worth for us. Nevertheless, we’re getting it legally vetted for additional perusal,” a police officer, concerned within the probe, instructed PTI.
Jain had additionally styled himself as an envoy to different fictitious entities like “Saborga”, “Paulovia” and “Lodonia”, allegedly defrauding people below the pretense of providing abroad jobs and visas.
