TATA TRUSTS BACKS VENKAT IN AIR ASIA CASE

BIZ

New Delhi: Tata Trusts on Thursday came out in support of its managing trustee R. Venkataramanan, who is under investigation by the CBI for allegedly trying to manipulate government policies through corrupt means to get international licence for AirAsia India. A combined meeting of the trustees of Tata Trusts was held this afternoon and “reaffirmed their complete trust and continued support to Venkataramanan under whose executive leadership as Managing Trustee, the Tata Trusts have done, and are continuing to do, outstanding work across India.” In a statement, Tata Trusts said its trustees also expressed concern over “inaccurate and mischievous reports” giving an impression that its offices were raided by investigating authorities, “which did not take place”. The office of Venkataramanan, in his capacity as a non-executive director and a nominee of Tata Sons on the Board of Air Asia India, in the trust office premises, was visited by the authorities and clarifications sought on some papers relating to Air Asia India, some of which were taken by the authorities, Tata Trusts said. “The trustees categorically reiterated that the reported investigations have nothing whatsoever to do with the affairs of any of the Tata Trusts and noted that papers and documents relating to the Trusts were neither seen nor called for by the investigators,” the statement said. — PTI