Advertisement

Updated January 16th, 2020 at 14:33 IST

ED summons AirAsia's Tony Fernandes & top mgmt in connection with money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Group CEO of Air Asia Tony Fernandes and top management on January 20 in connection with a money laundering case

Reported by: Shawan Sen
ED
| Image:self
Advertisement

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Group CEO of Air Asia Tony Fernandes on January 20 in connection with a money laundering case. Not just Fernandes, ED has summoned Tharumalingam Kanagalingam (Group President) Air Asia and businessman Arun Bhatia, who was earlier holding substantial equity in AirAsia.

The summons also includes senior group executive S Ramadorai, Naresh Algan and Mittu Chandiliya (former AirAsia CEO). This virtually involves the entire senior management of the airline.

READ | Tatas Gaining Upper Hand In Decision-making At AirAsia India

Cases against AirAsia

The ED had earlier registered a PMLA (Prevention Of Money Laundering Act) case against AirAsia after CBI filed a corruption case. CBI had filed a case in June 2018 alleging that senior management of AirAsia entered into a criminal conspiracy with the government officials in 2012 to get FIPB clearance. The existing rule to have overseas operations then was 5/20 — five years experience and 20 aircraft. The company didn't fulfill that requirement.

Consequently, a secret note was sent to the Cabinet in February 2014 to amend the rule followed by a supplementary note on 5th March 2014 but the Election Commission of India didn't approve because election dates were already announced.

It has been alleged by CBI that around Rs 12.18 crore was paid to a Singapore based shell company HNK Tradings. And a sham contract was signed with HNK.

Sources say, that ED is probing certain transactions that were made to a Singapore firm that allegedly did not provide any services. The CBI had earlier grilled Deepak Mahendra, the Chief Financial Officer of AirAsia in connection with the case. Tony Fernandes was also summoned by the CBI earlier but he did not respond to the summons sent by CBI.

READ | Delhi HC Dismisses ED Plea To Set Aside Bail Granted To Ratul Puri

AirAsia scandal

According to sources, the AirAsia scandal took place in 2013-2014. The carrier was given FIPB approval in 2013. Government officials were paid a bribe of over Rs 12 crore.

The FIR by CBI was filed under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code and section 13(2) read with 13 (1) d of Prevention of Corruption Act against Antony Francis Fernandes (Tony) Group Chief Executive Officer Air Asia Group (Malaysia), Tharumalingam Kanalingan (Bo Lingam) Air Asia Berhad Malaysia (sister company), Ramachandram Venkatraman (Director) Air Asia India Limited Bengaluru, Rajender Dubey M/S NHR Trading PT Limited, Singapore.

The FIR also includes Sunil Kapoor, Chairman, Total Food Services (catering for Asia Asia), Deepak Talwar, Principal and Founder - DTA Consultancy Pvt Limited, New Delhi, M/S Air Asia India Limited, M/S Air Asia Berhad (Malaysia), NHR Trading PT Limited, Singapore, other unknown private persons and unknown officials of civil aviation ministry and the then officials of FIPB (now defunct).

READ | PFI Under ED Scanner; Money Laundering Angle Probe 'close To Completion': Sources

READ | HUGE Setback For Chanda Kochhar: ED Attaches Rs 78 Cr Assets In Videocon Loan Case

(Picture Credit: PTI)

Advertisement

Published January 16th, 2020 at 14:33 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Vishing attacks on rise
a few seconds ago
Avesh Khan
a few seconds ago
Bengaluru Man Tragically Dies After Friend Pumps Hot Air Into His Rectum For Fun
a few seconds ago
INDI Seals Seat-sharing Deal in Bihar, RJD to Contest on 26 Seats, Cong 9
a minute ago
Congress Press Conference
3 minutes ago
Adani Green Adopts Robotics for Solar Module Maintenance
17 minutes ago
Electric Vehicle
19 minutes ago
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE
19 minutes ago
A poster of Crew
25 minutes ago
"We never celebrated Holi after the incident (the murder), I felt that today is Holi for us,” Alka Rai, wife of formerBJP MLA Krishnanand Rai said.
27 minutes ago
PM Modi & BillGates
33 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo