PC told to depose in aviation scam

Tribune news Service

New Delhi, August 19

Expanding its probe into alleged aviation-related financial irregularities during the UPA regime, the Enforcement Directorate has summoned former Finance Minister P Chidambaram to record his statement under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on August 23 in connection with the case. 

ED officials said the senior Congress leader has been asked to depose before the investigating officer of the case on August 23 at the agency’s office here to record his statement.

The ED officials indicated that Chidambaram would be grilled in the case pertaining to losses suffered by Air India due to an alleged multi-crore aviation scam and irregularities in fixing air slots for international airlines. He may also be encountered with questions relating to the purchase of 111 aircraft, costing about Rs 70,000 crore, for the national carrier, they added.

The CAG had in 2011 questioned the rationale behind the government’s decision to order 111 aircrafts - 48 from Airbus and 68 from Boeing — for AI and Indian Airlines for about Rs 70,000 crore in 2006.

Former Aviation Minister Praful Patel has already been grilled by the ED in connection with these decisions and it is understood that the agency now wants to question Chidambaram on their leads in this case.

They said Chidambaram was heading an empowered Group of Ministers for these deals and hence it is important to talk to him to know about the decision-making process in the government.

The Congress leader is also being probed by ED in Aircel-Maxis and INX Media deals- under PMLA.