South Africa has announced its intention to initiate discussions with the Indian government regarding the arrest of two Gupta brothers in India. One of the brothers is sought by South Africa for purportedly embezzling billions from state-owned enterprises.

According to a report by PTI, the arrest of two of the three Gupta brothers occurred on Saturday following their mention in a suicide note by Satinder Singh Sawhney, a prominent builder based in Uttarakhand.

However, there is uncertainty regarding whether this individual is the same Ajay Gupta who departed South Africa with his family a couple of years ago. The Gupta brothers - Atul, Ajay, and Rajesh - stand accused of misappropriating billions of South African rands through their close ties to former President Jacob Zuma. Following Zuma's removal from office in 2018, the Gupta family relocated to Dubai.

Ajay Gupta, the eldest among the three Gupta brothers, is suspected to be the orchestrator of the family's corrupt activities in South Africa. His younger siblings, Atul and Rajesh, were apprehended in Dubai in 2022. Ajay, along with his brother-in-law Anil Gupta, was arrested in Uttarakhand on Saturday.

In 2023, the United Arab Emirates rejected South Africa's extradition plea for Rajesh and Atul, prompting South Africa to label them as fugitives. The brothers had established a vast business empire spanning the IT, media, and mining sectors. Notably, they also facilitated a visit by the South African cricket team to Saharanpur in 2005.

According to reports from PTI, Ajay Gupta, along with his brother-in-law Anil, was arrested on Saturday on charges of abetment of suicide. The arrest follows allegations made by a prominent builder, Satinder Singh Sawhney, who named them in his suicide note before jumping off his multi-storey apartment building.

Subsequently, a court in Dehradun on Saturday remanded the duo to 14 days' judicial custody on charges of abetting the suicide of Satinder Singh, also known as Baba Sahni.

However, uncertainty surrounds whether this individual is the same Ajay Gupta who fled South Africa alongside his brothers Atul and Rajesh, with the latter also being on South Africa’s wanted list.

Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for South Africa's Department of Justice, stated that the arrest of Ajay and Anil Gupta in India had been noted, although the arrest warrants were issued for Rajesh and Atul Gupta. Phiri mentioned that formal procedures were underway through the High Commissioner in India to verify the identities and potential engagement.

Officials clarified that while reports identified the arrested individuals as "brothers", the trio who fled South Africa with their families comprises Ajay, Atul, and Rajesh, with Anil believed to be their brother-in-law, married to their sister Achala.

Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, speaking at an African National Congress rally in Johannesburg on Saturday, confirmed the government's awareness of the arrests but highlighted the uncertainty regarding whether the detained individuals are those sought by South African authorities.

Lamola also noted that the assets of the Gupta brothers in South Africa have been frozen amidst ongoing legal proceedings.

Image source: India Today