The Gupta family is a wealthy and powerful family of Indian origin who immigrated to South Africa in the early 1990s.
They built a vast business empire spanning areas such as mining, media and technology, but they were also embroiled in numerous corruption scandals and controversies.
They are accused of using their close ties to former South African President Jacob Zuma and his allies to influence government decisions, win lucrative state contracts and loot public funds. They have denied wrongdoing and fled South Africa to Dubai and other locations.
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- Members: Ajay Gupta, Atul Gupta, Rajesh “Tony” Gupta, Suresh Gupta, Ashok Gupta, Achla Gupta
- Nickname: The Guptas
- Date of birth: Ajay Gupta (1966), Atul Gupta (1968), Rajesh Gupta (1970), Suresh Gupta (1962), Ashok Gupta (1964), Achla Gupta (1960)
- Gender: Male (except Achla Gupta)
- Place of Birth: Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Nationality: Indian (except Atul Gupta, who became a South African citizen in 2002)
- Occupation: Businesswoman (except Achla Gupta, who is a homemaker)
- Parents: Shiv Kumar Gupta and Mooli Devi Gupta
- Net worth: Estimated $1 billion
Early life and education
The Gupta brothers were born and raised in Saharanpur, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, India. Their father, Shiv Kumar Gupta, was a businessman who ran a small shop selling spices and sweets.
Their mother, Mooli Devi Gupta, was a housewife who looked after the family. The brothers have an older sister, Achla, who is the eldest of six siblings. The family belongs to the Bania caste, a merchant community in India.
The brothers attended local schools and colleges in India, majoring in engineering, commerce and computer science.
Ajay Gupta, the eldest of the three, graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee with a degree in mechanical engineering. Atul Gupta, the second eldest, earned a degree in commerce from the University of Delhi.
Rajesh Gupta, the youngest of the three, completed his degree in computer science at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani. Suresh and Ashok Gupta, the two elder brothers, also pursued higher education in India, but their areas of study were still to be explored.
The brothers had an entrepreneurial spirit and ambition from an early age. They started businesses in India, such as a shoe factory, a dairy farm, and a software company. They also helped their father run the store and learned the basics of trading and commerce.
Personal life
The Gupta brothers are married and have children. Atul Gupta married Chetali Gupta, a woman from his hometown, in 1994.
They have three sons: Shashank, Prashant, and Suryakant. Rajesh Gupta married Arti Gupta, a woman from Delhi, in 1996. They have two sons: Shubham and Ankit. Ajay Gupta married Shivani Gupta, a woman from Jaipur, in 1998. They have four sons: Kamal, Vikas, Kunal, and Rishabh.
The Gupta brothers and their family have lived in South Africa for many years and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle.
They own a number of properties, such as a mansion in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, a luxury apartment in Dubai and a private jet.
They also throw lavish parties and weddings, inviting celebrities, politicians, and business tycoons. They are known for their generosity and philanthropy, donating to various causes and organizations, such as schools, hospitals, and religious organizations.
However, the Gupta brothers and their family faced criticism and hostility from the South African public, media and authorities.
They have been implicated in numerous corruption scandals and controversies, such as the state capture, Estina dairy farm and Waterkloof land grab.
They are also accused of manipulating public opinion, stoking racial tensions and interfering in state institutions.
They have been sanctioned by several countries and are wanted by South African authorities on a variety of criminal charges. They have denied wrongdoing and fled South Africa to Dubai and other locations.
Career
The Gupta brothers started their business empire in South Africa with Sahara Computers, a computer hardware company, in 1993.
They then expanded into mining, media and technology, buying stakes in companies such as Oakbay Resources, The New Age, ANN7, Tegeta Exploration and Resources and Optimum Coal. They also have business interests in India, the UAE and other countries.
The Gupta brothers are successful and influential businessmen with close ties to former South African President Jacob Zuma and his administration.
They secured lucrative state contracts in areas such as coal supply, nuclear power and locomotives. They also had access to confidential information, such as cabinet appointments, policy decisions and state budgets.
They can influence government decisions, such as the firing and hiring of ministers, the granting of citizenship, and the allocation of resources. They also influence public opinion through media outlets, such as The New Age and ANN7, which promote a pro-Zuma and pro-Gupta narrative.
However, the Gupta brothers have faced significant scrutiny and opposition from the South African public, media, and government. They have been exposed by numerous investigative reports, such as #GuptaLeaks, the State of Capture report, and the Zondo Commission. They have been challenged by numerous civil society groups, such as the Save South Africa campaign, the Economic Freedom Fighters, and the Democratic Alliance.
Various legal actions, such as the Asset Confiscation Unit, the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority, have also targeted them.
They have been implicated in numerous corruption scandals and controversies, such as the state capture, Estina dairy farm and Waterkloof land grab.
They are also accused of manipulating public opinion, stoking racial tensions and interfering in state institutions.
They have been sanctioned by several countries and are wanted by South African authorities on a variety of criminal charges. They have denied wrongdoing and fled South Africa to Dubai and other locations.
Prize
The Gupta brothers and their companies have won several awards and recognitions for their business achievements and social contributions. Some of these include:
- Sahara Computers was named Best Company of the Year by Black Business Quarterly magazine in 2004.
- The New Age was awarded Newspaper of the Year by the National Press Club in 2012.
- ANN7 was awarded the Best Television News Channel of 2014 by the National Press Club.
- Atul Gupta was named Business Leader of the Year by Black Business Quarterly in 2016.
- Rajesh Gupta was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Black Business Quarterly in 2017.
Net worth
According to multiple sources, the Gupta brothers and their family are estimated to have a combined net worth of around $1 billion.
However, their net worth is still unknown as they have not made their financial information public. Their net worth is derived from their stakes in various companies such as Sahara Computers, Oakbay Resources, The New Age, ANN7, Tegeta Exploration and Resources, and Optimum Coal.
Argumentative
The Gupta brothers and their family have been involved in numerous corruption scandals and controversies that have tarnished their reputations and jeopardized their business interests. Some of the most notable include:
– Misappropriation of state assets: The Gupta brothers and their associates are accused of using their close relationship with former South African President Jacob Zuma and his administration to influence government decisions, win lucrative state contracts and embezzle public funds.
They are also accused of having access to confidential information, such as cabinet appointments, policy decisions and state budgets, and influencing government decisions, such as the dismissal and hiring of ministers, the granting of citizenship and the allocation of resources.
Estina Dairy Farm: The Gupta brothers and their associates were accused of being involved in a fraudulent scheme. They received millions of rand from the Free State government to set up a dairy farm that was supposed to benefit farmers and the local community. However, the project was a scam, with the money going to the Gupta family and their companies.
Landing at Waterkloof: The Gupta brothers and their associates have been accused of exploiting their political connections and violating national security protocols when they landed a private jet carrying around 200 guests for a lavish wedding at Waterkloof Air Force Base, a military installation, in 2013.
Police and military vehicles escorted guests to the wedding venue, where celebrities and politicians were treated. The incident sparked public outrage and led to several investigations and the suspension of officials.
#GuptaLeaks: A series of leaked emails has exposed the Gupta brothers and their associates, revealing the extent of their involvement in many corruption scandals and controversies.
The emails show the Gupta family and their companies benefiting from state contracts, influencing government decisions, interfering in state institutions, manipulating public opinion and laundering money.
The emails also show that the Gupta family and their close associates lived a lavish lifestyle, traveling the world and socializing with the rich and powerful.
Zondo Commission: Multiple witnesses and evidence suggest the Gupta brothers and their associates were involved in the Zondo Commission, a judicial inquiry into allegations of state capture, corruption and fraud in the public sector.
The commission, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, heard testimony from current and former ministers, officials, executives, whistleblowers and journalists who detailed how the Gupta family and their associates captured the state, corrupted the government and looted public funds.
The commission has also issued summons and arrest warrants against the Gupta family and those involved, who have failed to appear or cooperate with the investigation.
Social media
The Gupta brothers and their family do not have official or verified social media accounts like Instagram or Twitter.
However, several unofficial and parody accounts use their names and images, such as @GuptaFamily, @GuptaLeaks, and @GuptaFacts.
