In 1993, the family relocated from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to South Africa to start Sahara Computers. The family lived in the Sahara Estate in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, a compound that included at least four houses, until 2016, when they moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
In 2022, Interpol issued a red alert for the arrest of Atul and Rajesh Gupta on fraud and money-laundering offences. On June 6, 2022, the brothers were supposedly apprehended in Dubai. South Africa and the United Arab Emirates held extradition discussions.
Because of their strong ties to Jacob Zuma before and throughout his administration, the family has been the subject of intense international attention and political scandal. Their close relationship with Zuma, both personally and through their company Oakbay Investments, has sparked extensive allegations of corruption and improper influence. These relationships have also led to claims of state capture: it is said that the government has conducted activities and decisions, made some high-level appointments, and determined control of some state firms for the Gupta family’s direct or indirect profit, or with the family’s acquiescence.
In 2015, anti-corruption advocate and former trade unionist Zwelinzima Vavi labeled the Guptas’ influence on the presidency as a “shadow administration.” Several MPs and ministers have said that they were given government jobs by or on behalf of the Gupta family in exchange for favorable commercial choices once appointed. In 2017, it was revealed that the British public relations firm Bell Pottinger, acting on behalf of Gupta-owned Oakbay Investments, had deliberately manipulated and inflamed racial tensions, stirred up racial hatred, and made accusations of “white monopoly capital,” using a large number of bogus Twitter and other online accounts, as part of a campaign to portray Oakbay and those associated with it as victims, ostensibly to deflect corruption claims. In the aftermath of the incident, Bell Pottinger went bankrupt.
The FBI started an investigation into Gupta nephews Ashish and Amol, who are US citizens and live in Texas, in October 2017 as a consequence of payments received from a Gupta-linked company in the United Arab Emirates.
Ajay Gupta was proclaimed a fugitive from justice by South African authorities on February 16, 2018, two days after Zuma stood down as president of South Africa, after failing to turn himself in. The National Prosecuting Authority later withdrew this once all accusations against Ajay Gupta were dropped. In October 2019, the US Treasury sanctioned the Gupta family and an associate for “widespread corruption and bribery.”
What is the Gupta family’s nationality?
Gupta is a common Indian surname or last name. It is derived from the Sanskrit word gopt, which meaning “guardian” or “protector.” According to historian R. C. Majumdar, the surname Gupta was acquired at various times by several different communities in northern and eastern India.
Who is the Gupta family’s founder?
Historians refer to this period as India’s Golden Age. The empire’s reigning dynasty was created by King Sri Gupta, and its most important kings were Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, and Skandagupta.
Is the Gupta family still in South Africa?
The family lived in the Sahara Estate in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, a compound that included at least four houses, until 2016, when they moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In 2022, Interpol issued a red alert for the arrest of Atul and Rajesh Gupta on fraud and money-laundering offences.
Is the Gupta family out on bail?
Ronald Lamola, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services told Parliament that the Gupta brothers were actually imprisoned and had been denied bail.
