Firm that got BEST e-buses contract has links to Pakistani establishment: Ashish Shelar

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“The first tender was issued for getting 200 buses only. This number was later increased to 900 buses and now it has gone up to 1,400. It is a different matter whether this decision was taken after conducting any survey and whether these buses are fit to ply on Mumbai roads.

I will refrain from talking about it at this moment. But I would like to emphasise that the company that has been awarded the contract is an entity of concern,” said Shelar.

It was decided to procure 1,400 e-buses for BEST from London-based Causis E-Mobility. The state government had signed the Rs 2,800-crore contract in the presence of Aaditya Thackeray and industry minister Subhash Desai. The CEO of this company is Ram Tumuluri, a Canadian national.

“Tumuluri has been declared an international scammer and the main culprit in scams worth crores of rupees by Malta, Canada and the European Union. Serious allegations have been levelled against him and the Supreme Court in Canada has also made serious declarations about him,” Shelar said.

He said two other investors are Pakistani nationals with links to the Pakistani establishment. Shelar said one of the investors is Shaukat Ali Abdul Gafoor, a Pakistani national based in Libya. Shelar also presented Shaukat’s photograph with former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

Shelar said the other investor is Asad Ali Shaukat, a Pakistani national living in Dubai and allegedly a key operator in the hawala racket.

“Why did the state government reach out to a company that has investments from such investors to procure its e-buses?” asked Shelar.

In a statement issued Sunday, CAUSIS Group said: “We would like to reiterate that all these accusations are baseless, unsubstantiated, and motivated. There are currently legal proceedings ongoing against the sources of misinformation and we reserve the right to initiate legal proceedings in case of any misrepresentation of facts. No proceedings for fraud or dishonesty have ever been filed against our founder in the mentioned counties, or elsewhere.

“The recent order of 700 double-decker electric buses from Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) won by the company is purely on its merit and as per the prevailing binding procedures set by the authority.

“CAUSIS would like to clarify that the tender is based on a GCC model and will only be paid on a per KM basis by successful delivery and operations of those buses over a 12-year period. Through this tender, CAUSIS has committed to invest over USD $250 million upfront to deliver 700 buses to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST).”