Petaling Jaya: Indian investigators are looking into information that AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes and his deputy, Bo Lingam, handpicked lobbyists claiming to have access to top public officials in efforts to make regulatory policies in India suitable for them, a news report said today.
The New Delhi-based Economic Times said this was contained in the first information report (FIR), a police document on a possible offence, registered by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
It claimed elaborate “presentations” were prepared by these lobbyists, chalking out “detailed strategies” to target senior officials who could influence the government on the policies related to international aviation.
It cited the FIR as saying that Fernandes and Lingam had “pressurised” then AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya to pursue the matter regarding the change of the policies.
It was reported earlier this month that India’s agency on financial crimes, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), had launched a probe on the likelihood of a bribe amounting to US$1 million (RM4 million) in relation to AirAsia India.
It followed the ED’s questioning of Chandilya over the matter of alleged violation of rules for flying permits, the Times of India had reported.
Fernandes was also issued a “notice of appearance” over the Foreign Investment Promotion Board’s (FIPB) approval for AirAsia to invest in India and his alleged efforts to get the Indian government’s policy changed so that the company could start international operations there.
Under the policy, a domestic airline is allowed to fly overseas only after completing five years of domestic operations with a fleet of at least 20 aircraft.
The investigating agencies were also examining whether the approvals were given to AirAsia arbitrarily and in violation of the rules framed by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).
16/06/18 FreeMalaysiaToday
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The New Delhi-based Economic Times said this was contained in the first information report (FIR), a police document on a possible offence, registered by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
It claimed elaborate “presentations” were prepared by these lobbyists, chalking out “detailed strategies” to target senior officials who could influence the government on the policies related to international aviation.
It cited the FIR as saying that Fernandes and Lingam had “pressurised” then AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya to pursue the matter regarding the change of the policies.
It was reported earlier this month that India’s agency on financial crimes, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), had launched a probe on the likelihood of a bribe amounting to US$1 million (RM4 million) in relation to AirAsia India.
It followed the ED’s questioning of Chandilya over the matter of alleged violation of rules for flying permits, the Times of India had reported.
Fernandes was also issued a “notice of appearance” over the Foreign Investment Promotion Board’s (FIPB) approval for AirAsia to invest in India and his alleged efforts to get the Indian government’s policy changed so that the company could start international operations there.
Under the policy, a domestic airline is allowed to fly overseas only after completing five years of domestic operations with a fleet of at least 20 aircraft.
The investigating agencies were also examining whether the approvals were given to AirAsia arbitrarily and in violation of the rules framed by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).
16/06/18 FreeMalaysiaToday
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