Food supply firm raided in licence scam

Mumbai: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team on Tuesday conducted searches at a Worli-based food-supply firm as part of its probe initiated in Delhi against Malaysian airline, AirAsia’s Group CEO, Tony Fernandes and others for alleged violation of norms to get international flying licences, officials said on Tuesday.

The case relates to an alleged violation of norms by directors of the aviation company for relaxation of 5/20 rules in the aviation sector to get licences for international operations, as well as violation of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) rules, they said.

A case has been registered against the director of Private Airlines Limited, Bengaluru; group chief executive officer of Private Air Group, Malaysia; Dy. GCEO of Private Air, Berhad, Malaysia; Director of a Private Company, Singapore; chairman of a Private Company, Worli Point, Mumbai; principal & founder of Consulting Company, New Delhi; the said three private companies of Singapore, Bengaluru and Malaysia and other unknown public servants from the ministry of civil aviation and the then FIPB (Govt of India), New Delhi and private persons.

“It was alleged that unknown public servants and others entered into a conspiracy with the director of Private Airlines Ltd, Bengaluru; group chief executive officer of said Malaysia Group; Dy. GCEO of said company; director of a private company and other accused persons with the intent to help Private Airlines (India) Ltd. to expedite the approval process and change in aviation policies to suit the company,” stated a CBI press release.