Cash-starved Jet flies into more trouble

Mumbai, December 14

Country’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has ordered a forensic audit of Jet Airways’ books, which has been grappling with financial woes for many months, for the period between April 2014 and March 2018, according to sources in the bank.

The State Bank, which is the lead banker to the airlines’ over Rs 8,000-crore loans, has mandated EY to conduct the forensic audit of its books, which has already begun the process, the sources added.

The airline has been struggling to keep afloat following three consecutive quarterly losses of over Rs 1,000 crore each.

The bank’s action comes at a time when the Naresh Goyal-promoted airline is in talks with potential investors to raising funds to tide over the liquidity crisis.

“...it was decided to conduct a forensic audit of the accounts of Jet Airways for the period April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2018,” SBI sources said.

When contacted, an SBI spokesperson declined comments saying, “it’s the policy of the bank not to comment on individual accounts.” Emails sent for confirmation from the airline and EY also did not elicit immediate responses.

The audit was ordered following a complaint of alleged financial irregularities in Jet Airways accounts by a whistle blower, the sources said.

“The forensic audit has been mandated to E&Y LLP and the firm has already started the process,” the sources said.

In August, government had ordered an inspection of books and papers of the airline. The outcome of the probe, however, is awaited. Besides, there were also reports about alleged siphoning of funds to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore by the promoter Goyal. — PTI