September 29, 2026 01:43 am (IST)
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Gadkari denies Essar favour
Mumbai, Feb 27(IBNS) Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday denied having done anything wrong by accepting the hospitality of the Essar , saying he only wanted to experience the yacht of the multinational conglomerate and could not have reached it by swimming.
Allegations were raised in a section of media that select band of politicians, bureaucrats and journalists were on the list of favours being extended by Essar.
"Me or my family have never traveled using corporate money. Till date I have never taken any corporate money, ticket or sponsorship," he told a press conference.
Citing leaked emails, media reports said Gadkari went on a private cruise on the Essar luxury Raft Sunrays while vacationing in Europe with his family in July 7-9 2013.
The emails allegedly indicated that the yacht stay in the French Riviera was arranged at Gadkari's request.
Gadkari told NDTV: "Two years ago we had gone to Norway. When Essar found out they told me they had a yacht off the coast of France and invited me to see it. I got off at Frankfurt, booked my own tickets and hotel and went there. I stayed there for two nights and left on the third day."
In a statement, the Essar group said the article was based on information that was "stolen or fabricated."
"We are a law abiding company and responsible corporate citizen and have not indulged any wrong doing," the company said adding that it has initiated strong action against those suspected in the theft of its documents.
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