New Delhi
Awadhesh Kumar
Najmuddin Bhavnagarwala, who holds the position of Director and Chief Operating Officer at Agrifields DMCC, is facing increasing scrutiny due to his association with Amit Gupta, the company’s promoter. Gupta is currently under investigation in multiple jurisdictions for serious charges, including bribery, money laundering, illegal share transfers, and fraud. His international business dealings and legal troubles have captured widespread attention.
Award-winning Australian journalist Nick McKenzie, writing for The Sydney Morning Herald, has referred to Gupta as a “corporate crime kingpin” and a “fugitive of justice” after he fled Australia in 2013 during a criminal investigation. McKenzie also states, “The US documents name Getax director Amit Gupta as the ‘target of a criminal investigation who is alleged to have conspired with others to bribe foreign public officials and to have engaged in money laundering and other offenses.’”
As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald on March 9, 2024, “In 2020, the AFP moved to seize multiple properties and bank accounts connected to Gupta in Australia, Singapore, and New York worth an estimated $200 million.”
Bhavnagarwala leads an organization that is backed by the controversial Gupta, whose business activities have raised significant red flags. The same report from The Sydney Morning Herald goes on to explain that Agrifields DMCC “is the name of the global fertilizer firm Gupta launched after fleeing Australia.”
As COO, Bhavnagarwala’s responsibilities are vast, including ensuring the company’s operations align with financial, legal, and regulatory standards. He must also ensure strict corporate governance to prevent any lapses that could result in severe personal and legal consequences.
Affiliations with individuals under criminal investigation or facing allegations of corporate wrongdoing come with inherent risks. These relationships can jeopardize one’s professional reputation, expose them to financial instability, and bring them into complex legal, investigative, and ethical issues. Caution is advised when associating with businesses linked to such controversial figures.
