$100-million aviation scam: Corporate lobbyist Deepak Talwar under I-T lens

Talwar was under the I-T scanner for allegedly receiving $100 million in individual and corporate bank accounts

The income-tax department has filed five prosecution complaints against corporate lobbyist Deepak Talwar, known for his proximity to politicians and senior government officials, reported The Times of India. 

He was under the I-T scanner for allegedly receiving $100 million in individual and corporate bank accounts controlled by him and his family members in various tax jurisdictions. 

"Deepak Talwar received more than $100 million in foreign accounts owned through a complex structure of Trusts in different tax jurisdictions," according to the prosecution complaint, says a News18 report. 

Talwar, who was closely associated with the civil aviation, FIPB and infrastructure sectors, was allegedly instrumental in getting approvals for several foreign airlines — mainly Gulf-based airlines, according to the investigation details.

The I-T department had raided Talwar's establishments in June last year. According to the prosecution report, the Talwars' bank statements show $9.6 million as being paid by Qatar Airways, $9.8 million by Air Arabia and $10.01 million by an individual named Abdul Rahim Al Ali, according to the News18 report. 

Tanveer Ahmed Mir, lawyer to Deepak Talwar, who has been associated with FDI projects since the days of the P V Narasimha Rao government, told ToI: "We deny all allegations levelled against us."

Talwar became a familiar face in the circuit soon after liberalisation in 1991. He had the reputation of being the 'go-to man' for organising FDI clearances during UPA regime.