A formal application for the extradition of Rajesh Gupta and Atul Gupta from the United Arab Emirates has been submitted to the country’s central authority.
The duo are wanted in connection with fraud and money laundering.
The news was confirmed during a briefing by Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi on Monday afternoon.
However, while it’s good news in terms of justice, the process could take “several months.”
The brothers were arrested in Dubai last month after an Interpol red notice was issued. According to News24, South Africa had 60 days to submit the application which is in alignment with the treaty SA shares with the UAE.
“The application, submitted in both English and Arabic, addresses the general requirements for extradition which, if met, would allow the extradition to be granted under either the existing Extradition Treaty or the UN Convention Against Corruption (Uncac) or both,” stated NPA spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga.
Batohi reiterated the importance of holding perpetrators accountable and noted the significant milestone the formal application request for the arrest and extradition of the Gupta brothers had for the NPA’s commitment to upholding the law.
“We cannot guarantee of course that there will be a conviction, but what we can guarantee is that as the prosecuting authority we will do everything possible to ensure that the prospects of a successful prosecution and conviction is extremely high, that’s as far as we can take it,” she continued.
The arrest of the Gupta brothers pertains to a R24.9 million tender that was issued by the Free State Department of Agriculture to a company called Nulane Investments 204 between November 2011 and April 2012, reports EWN.
Also read:
Picture: Netwerk24