ED seeks court nod to arrest Talwar in case related to purchase of 43 aircraft from Airbus Industrie

The Enforcement Directorate Thursday moved a Delhi court seeking orders to arrest lobbyist Deepak Talwar in a fresh case related to the purchase of 43 aircraft by erstwhile Indian Airlines from France's Airbus Industrie in 2005.

The agency moved the plea before special judge Santosh Snehi Mann.

Talwar is currently in judicial custody in a separate case related to negotiations to favour foreign private airlines causing the loss to national carrier Air India.

In the present case, special public prosecutors D P Singh and Nitesh Rana told the court that Talwar's custody was required to unearth the entire criminal conspiracy related to the money laundering in relation to the purchase.

The court will hear the matter Friday.

According to the ED, the case was filed against Indian Airlines officials and other unknown persons, "alleging that the officials, by abusing their official position as public servants in conspiracy with Airbus Industrie and caused undue pecuniary advantage to Airbus Industrie and caused corresponding undue loss to the government exchequer in carrying out the purchase of 43 aircraft by Indian Airlines from Airbus Industrie, France."