However, both charges were dismissed following a judge-alone trial before Judge Eddie Paul in the Auckland District Court last December. Former NZ First MP Mahesh Bindra, a whisky drinking pal of Gupta's, gave evidence for the defence during Gupta's trial. The second woman said Gupta would proposition her in the office and claimed he violated her just two days after the first woman. "When you feel like you want to sue him, let me know and I will also join you," the second woman said she told the first. However, when making his judgment, Judge Paul said he was unconvinced by the second woman's evidence and "simply put it to one side".

Source: Otago Daily Times March 03, 2018 07:07 UTC