Ghana-based Indian businessman and philanthropist, Amar Deep Singh Hari, has reacted to the gold-stealing allegations against him, for which he is being prosecuted.
In a statement sighted by GhanaWeb, Singh Hari, who is the Board Chairman of IPMC and co-founder of Gold Crest Refinery, asserted that Ghana has been like a home to him and he would not engage in any criminal activity in the country.
“For more than thirty years, I have lived and worked in Ghana. I have built businesses here, created thousands of jobs, and supported social and charitable causes. This country has been my home, and through my work at IPMC I am known for technology and business leadership, automation of Ghanaian businesses, youth empowerment, skills development, and service to the community.
“It is therefore with deep concern that I am compelled to address the ‘criminal allegations’ levelled against me,” he wrote.
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He said that the case against him stems from fraudulent claims orchestrated by his former business partners, Niharika Handa, and her son, Punar Vasu Handa, who he noted are fugitives facing serious charges abroad and have already been accused of defrauding Gold Crest Refinery of millions of dollars.
“I must say at the outset that the allegations [against me] are complete falsehoods, cleverly masqueraded by Ms Handa and her son, two individuals who I recently discovered are fugitives facing different court cases abroad.
“In Ghana, they have not only defrauded government agencies through false pretences but also my company of millions of dollars,” Mr Hari said in a statement.
He vowed to do all in his power to seek justice for himself and his firm, emphasising his full respect for Ghana’s laws and the country’s judicial process.
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The business mogul also stated that he has petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to look into the matter.
“We have submitted a petition backed by positive documentary and pictorial evidence to the CID concerning the criminal conduct masterminded by [Ms Handa and her son] in collusion with some dismissed employees of the company. I am confident that once the CID completes their investigations, the courts will deliver justice based on truth,” he added.
Singh Hari went on to urge the public and state institutions to remain vigilant against those who exploit Ghana’s openness and goodwill for criminal purposes.
He pledged his trust in the institutions and said he remains “resolute to the rule of law and due process.”
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