India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued a summons for AirAsia Group chief Tan Sri Tony Fernandes to present himself for questioning next week over a graft probe there.
According to the Times of India, CBI sources said a notice has been sent to Fernandes here via email informing him of the summons.
The sources declined to say if Fernandes has answered the notice.
They added, however, that they are likely to also summon AirAsia Group deputy chief executive Bo Lingam and AirAsia India director Venkatramanan Ramchandran.
Last month, the CBI named Fernandes and other officials from AirAsia and its Indian unit in its corruption investigation
The probe is a setback to AirAsia’s expansion, with its India unit planning more domestic flights and a January start to international operations.
The charges laid out by the CBI allege Fernandes and others bribed Indian officials through middlemen to influence policies, including obtaining a flying permit and approvals to fly internationally, Bloomberg reported.
The airline previously denied the allegations and categorised these as part of a smear campaign. – Malay Mail
Earlier report: May 29, India Federal Police File Case Against Tony Fernandes over Flying Licence