Court order on NBW against Ratul Puri likely on Friday

New Delhi, Aug 8 (IANS) A Delhi court on Thursday reserved order on the plea of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Ratul Puri, nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, in a money laundering case pertaining to AgustaWestland deal.

Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar will pronounce his order on Friday. The court will also pass judgment on the impleadment application moved by Puri through his counsel Vijay Aggarwal.

During the hearing, DP Singh, ED's counsel and Special Public Prosecutor, said if Puri stayed out chances of more witnesses turning hostile could not be ruled out. "He is evasive. There is flight risk. We have the proof that he is tampering with evidences and is influencing witness," he said.

Puri is under the scanner of probe agencies in connection with kickback in AgustaWestland deal. The probe agency has alleged that accounts associated with firms owned and operated by Puri were used to receive kickbacks and launder money in the deal.