Rs 8,100-cr fraud: Hitesh Patel in Albanian net

New Delhi, March 22 

Hitesh Patel, an accused in the Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud allegedly perpetrated by Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech group, has been detained in Albania on the basis of an Interpol notice issued against him by the ED.

Sources in the ED said, Hitesh Narender Bhai Patel was apprehended by officials of Albania from the capital city of Tirana on March 20. They informed Indian agencies about the development and the ED officials are expected to reach Albania soon to secure his extradition.

“Patel is an accused in the case and is the brother-in-law of one of the main accused, Chetan Sandesara. The other prime accused is Nitin Sandesara,” they said.

The agency said Patel was instrumental in getting dummy directors for shell companies used by Sandesaras.  Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara and Chetankumar Jayantilal Sandesara, directors of Sterling Biotech, are also stated to be in Albania and on March 19, a Delhi court had allowed the ED to send extradition requests to that country against the two. — TNS