This archive report was first published on 6 July 2021.
On July 6, 2021, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa announced that Interpol had issued red notices against the Gupta brothers, Atul and Rajesh, and their associates, in connection with a corruption scandal.
The red notices, which are equivalent to international arrest warrants, were issued for alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to $1.8 million in relation to the failed Estina Dairy Project.
The Gupta brothers, who are believed to be hiding in the United Arab Emirates, have been refusing to hand themselves in to face trial in South Africa.
According to the NPA's Investigative Directorate head, Hermione Cronje, the red notices were issued against Atul Gupta and his wife, Chetali; Rajesh Gupta and his wife, Arti; Ankit Jain, former Nulane Investment Bank of Baroda account signatory; Ravindra Nath, director of Wone Management; Ramesh Bhat and Jagdish Parekh, the directors of Pragat Investments.
The development comes after the United Arab Emirates ratified an extradition treaty with South Africa, paving the way for the Guptas to be brought to South Africa to face trial.
Red notices will be used to support the extradition request, locating and provisionally arresting the Gupta brothers and their associates pending extradition.
The Gupta brothers have denied having a corrupt relationship with former President Jacob Zuma, but over 200 witnesses have presented evidence before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, heavily linking him to the Indian family.
It is estimated that $84 billion in public funds was extracted from South Africa by key patronage networks between 2011 and 2017.
