New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to senior executives of AirAsia airlines, including CEO Tony Fernandes, for questioning next month in connection with a money laundering case, officials said on Friday.
According to sources, the central agency has asked Fernandes to appear before the investigating officer of the case here on February 5, his deputy and former Deputy Group CEO of Malaysia-based AirAsia Berhad Bo Lingam on February 3 and R Venkataramanan, former Director Air Asia India Ltd, on February 10.
A Tata Sons spokesperson said Venkataramanan had received the summons "first time" on January 22 and it was incorrect to say he ignored any communication sent to him by the federal probe agency.
"Mr Venkataramanan has confirmed he will be attending to the ED summons as required," the spokesperson said, adding he was a non-executive nominee director of Tata Sons on the board of AirAsia Ltd when the airlines took shape.
"Based on due enquiry undertaken by Air Asia Limited, there has been no wrongdoing by Mr R Venkataramanan," he added.
Few others linked to the present and past management of the airline have also been asked to depose, sources said.
The ED had earlier asked some of these executives to appear this month but after some failed to appear or sought additional time, new dates have been given, they said.
The summons have been issued under the PMLA and as per sources, the executives will be questioned and their statements recorded in connection with the investigation.
24/01/20 Press Trust of India/Business Standard
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According to sources, the central agency has asked Fernandes to appear before the investigating officer of the case here on February 5, his deputy and former Deputy Group CEO of Malaysia-based AirAsia Berhad Bo Lingam on February 3 and R Venkataramanan, former Director Air Asia India Ltd, on February 10.
A Tata Sons spokesperson said Venkataramanan had received the summons "first time" on January 22 and it was incorrect to say he ignored any communication sent to him by the federal probe agency.
"Mr Venkataramanan has confirmed he will be attending to the ED summons as required," the spokesperson said, adding he was a non-executive nominee director of Tata Sons on the board of AirAsia Ltd when the airlines took shape.
"Based on due enquiry undertaken by Air Asia Limited, there has been no wrongdoing by Mr R Venkataramanan," he added.
Few others linked to the present and past management of the airline have also been asked to depose, sources said.
The ED had earlier asked some of these executives to appear this month but after some failed to appear or sought additional time, new dates have been given, they said.
The summons have been issued under the PMLA and as per sources, the executives will be questioned and their statements recorded in connection with the investigation.
24/01/20 Press Trust of India/Business Standard
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