The net is closing in on members of the infamous Gupta family, after R520 million in Gupta assets have been seized, including luxury properties in Joburg and Cape Town.

Prosecutors have also issued a red notice for Interpol to arrest the Guptas and extradite them to South Africa to face criminal charges.

A Gupta associate appeared in court yesterday linked to multi-million rand fraud involving the failed Estina dairy project in the Free State.

The Investigating Directorate says the modus operandi used in this case appears to have been replicated in other government departments and projects.

“It is therefore critical that the evidence gathered in this matter is presented to court and a verdict obtained expeditiously. It is for this reason that prosecutors have decided to proceed separately against the accused currently in the country and those abroad, as the process of arrest and extradition may unduly delay the trial.”

Investigating Directorate head, Adv Hermione Cronje, said the NPA is applying to Interpol to assist with the execution of arrest warrants in respect Atul Gupta and his wife, Chetali; Rajesh Gupta and his wife, Arti; Ankit Jain, former Nulane Investment Bank of Baroda account signatory; Ravindra Nath, director of Wone Management (Pty) Ltd; Ramesh Bhat and Jagdish Parekh, the directors of Pragat Investments (Pty) Ltd.