No link with middleman named in chopper deal: Emaar MGF

Real estate major Emaar MGF today denied any association with Guido R Hashke, one of the alleged middlemen in the controversial Rs 3,600 crore helicopter deal.

"Guido R Hashke was an independent non-executive director for an extremely brief period of approximately two months i.e. September 25, 2009 to December 7, 2009. Emaar MGF has had no association with him or any of his businesses or associates other than this," the firm said in a statement.

Hashke was appointed due to the statutory requirement of having certain number of independent directors on the board to be a publicly-listed company. Therefore he was appointed as an independent director to fulfill the requirements of the company's proposed Initial Public Offer (IPO) at that time, it said.

"We wish to state on record that he did not attend any board meeting during his tenure of appointment and in fact has never visited our offices at any time nor has had any meetings with any of our officials at any time. Furthermore, he has not represented the company in any forum at any time," the statement said.

The deal, involving supply of 12 VVIP choppers by Italian firm AgustaWestland, has come under the scanner of investigating agencies in the wake of reports of alleged kickbacks paid to clinch it.

ALSO READ

DGCA scrutiny likely for airlines' levy on services

Deutsche Bank sees Sensex at 22,500 by Dec, further rate cuts

Air India to slash free baggage allowance, charge more

Kingfisher Airlines assets worth Rs 1,000 crore sold: SBI