NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) supported on Thursday the plea of Dubai-based businessman Rajiv Saxena, an accused in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal case, to become a prosecution witness who would disclose 'true facts' to reveal the guilt of others in exchange for a pardon.

The ED, represented by its special prosecutors DP Singh and NK Matta, filed a reply on Thursday to Saxena's plea seeking to become an approver in the case. The agency called him an important witness and pointed out that he deserved a pardon. "I'm supporting the application of Rajiv Saxena (sic) so as to make him a witness. Have given all points (in the reply) saying he's shown inclination to unravel the truth. Have little doubt that he is not only an important witness, but also deserves the pardon he has sought...," Singh submitted.

According to the ED reply, Saxena is 'connected and privy' to the offence of money laundering in the case. "He has demonstrated by his conduct that he has been willing to truly disclose the entire chain of circumstances and the role of various persons involved in the case," the ED stated .

The reply of ED officials was in response to the statement Saxena recorded before a magisterial court to show he could support the prosecution's case. Saxena's counsels, senior advocate Geeta Luthra and advocates Shivani L Lohia and Prateek Yadav, submitted that their client had cooperated in every possible way and had made the disclosure as mandated under law .

