CBI arrests lobbyist Deepak Talwar in aviation scam case
Talwar has been charged with liaisoning to secure undue benefits for Emirates, Air Arabia and Qatar Airways at the cost of national carrier, Air India
- Jul 26, 2019,
- Updated Jul 26, 2019 9:28 PM IST
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested aviation lobbyist Deepak Talwar in connection to a case related to an illegal aviation deal. This is the first arrest by the CBI in connection with this case. Deepak Talwar was deported from Dubai earlier this year by the Indian agencies. His arrest came after a Delhi court turned down his plea for anticipatory bail.
Praful Patel, the civil aviation minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government when these deals took place, was named in the charge sheet by the Enforcement Directorate. He was recently grilled by the ED for 3 days in connection with the same case.
Talwar has been charged with liaisoning and lobbying with politicians, ministers, other public servants and officials of Ministry of Civil Aviation for airlines such as Emirates, Air Arabia and Qatar Airways for securing undue benefits for them. Sources say, Talwar illegally managed to secure favourable traffic rights for these airlines during 2008-09 at the cost of the national carrier, Air India.
Don't allow 'fugitive' Indians to defend themselves in courts through local lawyers: Govt urges SC
Investigation in the Airline Seat Allotment Scam was initiated by the CBI against officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, NACIL, Air India and unknown private individuals. To avoid scrutiny, Deepak Talwar had fled the country. However, he was deported by the immigration authority of Dubai on January 31 this year and was subsequently arrested by the ED. The agency is also probing the Air India-Indian Airlines merger; purchase of 111 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus at Rs 70,000 crore; ceding of profitable routes and schedules to private airlines, and opening of training institutes with foreign investment.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested aviation lobbyist Deepak Talwar in connection to a case related to an illegal aviation deal. This is the first arrest by the CBI in connection with this case. Deepak Talwar was deported from Dubai earlier this year by the Indian agencies. His arrest came after a Delhi court turned down his plea for anticipatory bail.
Praful Patel, the civil aviation minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government when these deals took place, was named in the charge sheet by the Enforcement Directorate. He was recently grilled by the ED for 3 days in connection with the same case.
Talwar has been charged with liaisoning and lobbying with politicians, ministers, other public servants and officials of Ministry of Civil Aviation for airlines such as Emirates, Air Arabia and Qatar Airways for securing undue benefits for them. Sources say, Talwar illegally managed to secure favourable traffic rights for these airlines during 2008-09 at the cost of the national carrier, Air India.
Don't allow 'fugitive' Indians to defend themselves in courts through local lawyers: Govt urges SC
Investigation in the Airline Seat Allotment Scam was initiated by the CBI against officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, NACIL, Air India and unknown private individuals. To avoid scrutiny, Deepak Talwar had fled the country. However, he was deported by the immigration authority of Dubai on January 31 this year and was subsequently arrested by the ED. The agency is also probing the Air India-Indian Airlines merger; purchase of 111 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus at Rs 70,000 crore; ceding of profitable routes and schedules to private airlines, and opening of training institutes with foreign investment.