Mistry's disclosures: Aviation ministry to look into issues

Mistry raised 'ethical concerns' in Tata group's aviation joint venture with AirAsia

Hot on the heels of Tata group’s ousted chairman Cyrus Mistry alleging fraudulent transactions at AirAsia India, the Aviation Ministry on Thursday said all issues would be looked into and “law of the land will have to be followed” in case of any violation.

“Laws as per policies have to be followed. Whatever (issue) anybody raises, they will have to be looked into,” Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju told reporters.

The comments come a day after Mistry’s allegations, contained in a confidential letter dated October 25, became public, wherein he wrote about certain financial irregularities regarding AirAsia India, where Tatas are a partner, including a “fraudulent transaction” of Rs 22 crore.

Asked whether the ministry would take any action in this matter, Raju said: “If anyone violates laws, laws of the land will have to followed everywhere.” He, however, did not give any direct reply about specific allegations made in Mistry’s letter.

Raju said: “The regulator provides the licence. So that was the point of that time. If there are violations in it, the courts are there to look at it. Our concern here is that we should keep Indian skies vibrant. We have sustained a 20 per cent growth. Why should we put a stop to it. Laws as per policies have to be followed. Whatever anybody raises, they will have to be looked into.”

Earlier in the day, the ministry officials had said they are keeping a close watch on developments related to the purported disclosures made by Mistry about AirAsia India and will act if something actionable is brought to its notice. “We are waiting for any input from any quarter,” Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said, adding “We have not received anything so far.”

While another civil ministry official said: "If anything new is brought to the ministry attention, appropriate authorities will look into it".

Mistry had raised "ethical concerns" in Tata group's aviation joint venture with AirAsia and alleged that forensic investigation revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent entities in India and Singapore.

He was removed abruptly as chairman of the Tata group on Monday and replaced by his predecessor Ratan Tata, who will lead the group for the next four months as interim chairman.